SBPA hosts parliamentary briefing on Challenge 25

The Briefing - sponsored by Heineken UK - was held to inform MSPs about the introduction of Challenge 25 in Scotland on 1 October.

Challenge 25 became a mandatory condition for all of Scotland’s 15,000 licensed premises under the terms of the Alcohol Etc. (Scotland) Act 2010.

It means that all licensed premises should have in place an age verification policy, which will require operators and their staff to ask those customers who look twenty five years or younger to produce identification proving that they are aged eighteen or over before they will be allowed to purchase alcohol.

Speaking at the event, Hugh Henry MSP, convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Beer and the Brewing industry, said: “I fully support the introduction of Challenge 25 and would commend the SBPA and the wider licensed trade for its efforts in complying with the new laws which came into force on 1 October.

"I would encourage younger customers who wish to buy alcohol to make themselves aware of the change in the law and to make sure that they carry appropriate ID with them to make sure they can purchase alcohol if they are challenged by pub staff or staff in other forms of licensed outlet.”

SBPA president Kem McGown added: “As responsible retailers we have a duty of care not only to our customers, but also to the wider society by enforcing the laws relating to the sale of alcohol, especially in relation to the issue of the underage sale of alcohol which is a serious public concern.

"Our Challenge 25 campaign demonstrates the commitment of the SBPA and its members to complying with the law.”