Proxy sales is the term used to describe adults buying alcohol for children or young people who are under the age of 18 years old.
The adult buying or attempting to buy alcohol on behalf of someone under the age of 18 commits an offence.
The Retail Alcohol Standards Group has developed a best practice document to support the prevention of proxy sales in all retail stores the guidance is available here and on the RASG website. The animation explains what a proxy alcohol sale is and a document on common scenarios where proxy sales may occur.
The guidance includes information on a number of proxy sales scenarios, including:
- Child/young person selecting alcohol for an adult to purchase on their behalf
- Child/young person approaching adults as they enter the store asking for them to purchase alcohol on their behalf
- A group of young people approaching the till to purchase alcohol but only one person has identification
- Parent accompanying a child/children
The guidance is available here.
