BBPA's 'Challenge 21' posters to include military ID guidance

27-Jun-2013 - Last updated on 01-Jul-2013 at 07:27 GMT

Related tags Military

Challenge 21: Brigid Simmonds with Andrew Robathan MP

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has updated its ‘Challenge 21’ poster to include military ID as an acceptable form of proof-of-age.

The change, which coincides with Armed Forces Day on 29 June, follows revised guidance issued by the Home Office and supported by the BBPA. The guidance helps door supervisors and licensees know how to recognise the different types of military ID available.

The BBPA’s ‘Challenge 21’ campaign tackles underage sales by challenging anyone that that looks under 21 for ID to prove that they are over 18. The association claims to have distributed more than 300,000 Challenge 21 posters to pubs in the past seven years.

Andrew Robathan MP, the minister in charge of Armed Forces, joined Brigid Simmonds in the Westminster Arms, across the road from the Houses of Parliament, to launch the poster.

Robathan said: “We are delighted that servicemen and women should now always be served in pubs and clubs as they can use their military ID cards to prove their age.

“I would urge all door staff and publicans to accept this as proof of age, which has been approved. I am grateful to the BBPA for supporting this change.”

Simmonds added: “Our Armed Forces make a huge contribution to our country. It has got to be right that the ID of our service personnel should be acceptable as proof-of-age under Challenge 21, and the revised guidance has made it easier for pub staff to become familiar with the relevant types of ID card.

“I’m delighted that we should soon see our new Challenge 21 posters going up in pubs.”