The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has hit back at claims by an anti-regulation pressure group that retailers’ age verification policies are “infantilising” adults.
The Manifesto Club’s report, “28 ¾: How Constant Age Checks Are Infantilising Adults,” claims that “thousands of adults in their 20s and 30s being hassled by constant ID checks”.
It also claims the ‘Think 21′ and ‘Think25′ policies have created ‘extreme confusion’ about the legal age limit, with a number of cashiers refusing to serve adults under 25.
“Retailers have robust age verification policies in place to ensure that they comply with the laws surrounding age restricted sales,” said ACS chief executive James Lowman.
“Reports such as these are unhelpful for staff members, who have a tough enough job as the frontline enforces of age verification policies. There needs to be a strong message of support and encouragement for responsible retailers.”
He warned that retailers who inadvertently sold alcohol to under-18s faced “thousands of pounds worth of fines and in many cases risk having their right to sell tobacco, alcohol or lottery products taken away.”
