Retail industry introduces Challenge 25 on alcohol sales
The UK’s major retailers are stepping up measures to combat attempted purchase of alcohol by and for under 18’s with the launch of Challenge 25.
Challenge 25 will force all those over 18 but under 25 to carry photo ID if they wish to purchase alcohol. The new threshold is also designed to assist efforts to combat proxy purchase – where young adults purchase alcohol on behalf of underage friends.
There has been a marked reduction in the levels of underage purchase of alcohol, following the successful introduction of the Challenge 21 initiative. The new signage in red and black adds a fresh and striking look and makes it clear that under 25s must now expect to be challenged to prove their age. It also spells out the heavy fines which could follow for those caught breaking the law.
Nick Grant, Chairman of RASG, said: “Retailers have done much to reduce levels of underage purchase but we’ve never been complacent and it’s time to go a stage further.
“Feedback from frontline staff suggests they want the freedom to challenge more widely to ensure young people are not breaking the law, either attempting to purchase alcohol for themselves or for others who are under 18. Challenge 25 makes this a reality and raises the bar.”
Welcoming Challenge 25, Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: “The Challenge 21 scheme has already proven itself to be an effective tool to combat underage drinking so I hope every retailer will adopt these new guidelines and continue to confront anyone they believe to be underage or buying alcohol for under 18s.
“We recognise that the majority of retailers take their responsibilities seriously, refusing to sell alcohol to around 1.5million underage children every month, and are determined to continue working with them to tackle the problem. We will shortly consult on a new mandatory code of practice for alcohol retailers setting out tough new licensing conditions to help tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder”
Simon O’Brien, the Association of Chief Police Officers’ lead on Licensing, said: "ACPO very much welcomes this initiative, it is clearly an industry leading standard, it has come without prompt and follows on from Challenge 21. ACPO believes that this is a sign of determination from those involved in the sale of alcohol to work towards the common goals of safe and sensible alcohol consumption.
“There has been some very good work with the industry to reduce sales of alcohol to young people and we are just now in the middle of an ongoing campaign, backed by the Home Office, to ensure we are enforcing legislation in this area and concentration will be on those traders that cannot get their houses in order.
“It is also interesting that senior figures from the on and off sales part of the industry have been pre briefed on the latest campaign and have given it their full and practical support. Proxy sales for young people are a real issue and we remind all customers buying alcohol in those types of circumstances does no favours to young people and if you purchase alcohol for their consumption you can get yourself into trouble by taking such irresponsible action.” End
The Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) was set up in 2005 to seriously drive down under age sales. For the first time competitors in the high street agreed to work together, sharing best practice and common signage to deliver robust policies designed to curb what had up to then been unacceptably high levels of sales.
The Government has publicly welcomed the fall in illegal sales but RASG has not been complacent. Indeed it is clear that more than ever, retailers need to be in the forefront of a campaign to stop young people from drinking in public and causing social nuisance. This is a continuing blight in so many of our market towns and city centre spaces.
RASG’s member companies are members of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The WSTA provide the day-to-day support for RASG.
Further information on RASG can be obtained from Sarah Davis or Stephen Hogg at the WSTA by emailing or or by calling 020 7089 3877
