Age restrictions on the sale of alcohol now TOO tight?

Where I am the chavs do nothing... Most are actually pretty friendly. I guess it's in the big cities and up North that they are a problem, like London, Birmingham, Manchester. Small towns don't really have to deal with it.

To the 17 year old that wants an ID: Citizen Cards are a valid proof of ID, and can be used to travel to places like Jersey.
 
Some staff members in places like Morrisons and Tescos etc have got the challenge 21 thing completely wrong. I've had it when I was 20, and I wasn't allowed to buy alcohol, even though I had ID to prove I was over 18. The members of staff didn't realise that it was just if you don't look 21, you have to prove you are 18. I just asked for a manager or someone to come over to sort it out, and thankfully they did.

I do think it's a good thing though that this Challenge 21 scheme was brought in, I can see a major difference in my local town. When I was 16/17 it was rather easy to buy alcohol, I could even carry around a photoshoped & printed version of my passport, with the date slightly altered, and I could get away with it. Back then, our town used to be full of kids being arse holes, unfortunately, at the time, i was one of them. Never violent towards people, but doing petty vandalism etc. Thankfully I grew up, and now that this +21 scheme is in, it's nice and quiet, with only people out drinking for a good time in bars etc. Much more pleasant.

Now I'm 21, 22 on Tuesday, I don't mind getting my ID out anywhere, I always carry it on me, saves any hassle when walking into shops.
 
Third Opinion said:
Sorry but I believe this is the wrong way to tackle teenage drinking. History has shown that the more you prohibite the use of something the more people want it.
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But the thing is, it's not technically more restricted in the eyes of the law, the retailers are just using more power to make sure that restriction is followed.
 
I have been drinking from 12. Didn't start properly until I was 15-16 but now at 22 I hardly drink at all.

It is like most things, it depends on the person. I know when it is OK to get really drunk and when it isn't, I don't get violent like some people either and never drink and drive.

Don't blame alcohol, it is just a catalyst. The kids usually have bad parents and bad mates. They just see being a **** as normal and join in.

As long as it is only illgeal to buy it and not drink it. My mum bought me several large crates of beer on my 16th birthday, was a mint birthday party!
 
Some places id regardless of age. Seems sensible to me. Age is extremely hard to judge on some people.

With photocard driving license it's not hard to show id. Just keep it in your wallet.

Perhaps as your bodies aren't fully developed. Damage from Alcohol then becomes more likely. 18 is the official age you become an adult and thus wont need adults permission etc.
 
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Lowra said:
Chances are a group of 18 and 17 year olds are going to share it around, but can they actually refuse to sell it to the paying person with ID based on asumption?
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I don't think this has been answered yet but a shopkeeper can refuse to sell to you for pretty much any reason under the sun (not allowed to discriminate on race etc etc), if they don't like the colour of your eyeshadow then they could choose not to sell you the product. In legal terms by showing their products the shopkeeper is merely giving an invitation to treat (Pharmaceutical Society of GB v Boots Cash Chemist) and you then create the offer by taking the product up to the counter, at which point they can either accept or decline your offer.

So in essence the assumption is easily reason enough but just like they have judged you then you are equally free to judge in return and take your custom elsewhere.
 
seek said:
You can side with the co-op if you like. But the point is I'm old and I look it. Thus being asked for ID is ridiculous.

And to all those "holier-than-thou", "you're in the wrong" types; I'm pretty sure you wouldn't feel the same were the shoe on the other foot. :)
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Never been asked but if I was and didn't have any ID I'd be annoyed, not likely as I always have my license in my walllet and never go shopping with my wallet but if I'd forgotten it I'd just have to go back home and get it.

If you have no convenient id you should probably get some, as the government tightens up punishments for anyone caught selling alcohol to minors (3 strikes and you lose your license isn't it?) more and more stores will just slap a blanket 'id everyone' rule, especially if they've already been caught out once or twice.

<paranoid>I wonder if it's all just a ploy to make us accept national id cards? :</paranoid> ;)
 
People have called for tighter restrictions for a long time, and now they finally got them, people complain that it's 'too tight'. (IMO, they're not nearly tight enough)

These restrictions are there for a person's own benefit - sure it can be annoying if you don't have any ID; but surely that tells you to carry ID with all the time? You don't have a drivers license? Get one!

It may seem stupid IDing both someone who looks like a kid, and someone who is clearly middle-aged and balding if they're eighteen - but to be honest, I'd rather they ID'd all and made sure they were selling to 18+.
 
DRZ said:
Some places I have been in have had little signs up saying that they ID anyone wishing to purchase an age restricted product. I think perhaps within reason this is alright - stops people kicking off/being offended when they are asked their age etc and I find it far more logical than the stupid "Think 21" scheme.
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The logic starts wearing a bit thin when OAPs get asked for id though (was a famous story 6-12months ago).

I don't have a problem with widespread "id-ing" but there comes a point where common sense needs to be applied. Yes, judging a person's age is somewhat subjective, but I don't think I've ever met a stooped man with grey hair and wrinkly skin that turned out to be under 18.
 
Telescopi said:
If you have no convenient id you should probably get some
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My problem is:

1) I can't drive due to a visual impairment
2) I don't like taking my passport with me if I'm likely to be drinking
3) My Prove It card isn't widely accepted due to the reputation for them being dodgy. Plus the photo on it is about 10 years old so doesn't look much like me any more!
 
Hayley-K said:
What really ... me off was the checkout lady in Sainsbury's wouldn't sell me lemsip cus she didn't think I was 16!! I told her I was 20 showed her my driving licence and embarresed her a treat. I was in my work uniform buying everybodies lucnh, I thought that would be a dead givaway I was at least 16 or do we now have child labour again in th U.K!
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The 'Think 21' policy covers every age restricted product. If you look as young as you type, she had every right to I.D you. Deal with it.
 
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