ACS (the Association of Convenience Store) has welcomed new guidance from the Retail Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) which aims to help retailers tackle the proxy purchasing of alcohol, which is where an adult purchases alcohol on behalf of a child.
RASG’s new guidance to support retailers in preventing proxy alcohol purchasing 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.
Hardish Purewal, Chair of the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group said: “For retailers, identifying when an adult is buying alcohol for a child is difficult, but we believe the guidance we have produced will help to support retailers and their staff in identifying, preventing and deterring proxy alcohol purchasing.
“Retailers have done a great job of ensuring that alcohol is not sold to anyone under the age of 18 but we mustn’t get complacent. It is important that retailers, policy makers, families and local communities recognise that the ways that children and young people are accessing alcohol is changing, and we have refocused our efforts to ensure that retailers have comprehensive advice on tackling proxy purchasing.”
Drinkaware, an independent charity working to reduce alcohol misuse and harm in the UK, has dedicated information for parents and guardians about talking to children and young people about alcohol. For more information: www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/underage-drinking
