Rt Hon Alun Michael supports CitizenCard in Cardiff South and Penarth
Rt Hon Alun Michael MP applauds Cardiff South and Penarth' adoption of 'No ID, No Sale' policy to stop children buying age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco.
Mr Michael, on Friday 4th May 2012 called on local retailers to support the 'No ID, No Sale!' campaign which seeks to ensure that only adults can buy lottery, tobacco and other age-restricted goods. Alun was speaking at M & M Newsagents (Cardiff CF11) where he was joined by proprietor Mr Patel, Dave Barrett from South Wales Police and CitizenCard's Marketing Manager Nigel Catlow.
The Cardiff South and Penarth MP said that following the new government's decision to abolish National ID cards, schemes such as CitizenCard were essential:
I already have 636 CitizenCard cardholders in my constituency but I am urging all young adults in Cardiff South and Penarth to obtain a CitizenCard or similar ID that contains the police-endorsed PASS hologram. Only then can retailers fully implement the 'No ID, No Sale!' policy which allows adults to buy whatever they wish whilst ensuring that children cannot buy alcohol, tobacco and other restricted goods.
Mr Patel who owns the shop is mindful that they face a fine of up to £10,000 if caught persistently selling restricted products to under-18s:
We have no wish to supply cigarettes or age-restricted products to children and we offer our younger customers a CitizenCard form which means they can prove their age. Every week we face dozens of attempts to buy tobacco by young people and if they cannot present valid ID we always refuse the sale.
More than two million CitizenCards have been issued across the UK since the scheme was launched by then Home Office Minister George Howarth in February 1999. The Coalition government has continued the previous government's policy of supporting the police's endorsement of CitizenCards and other cards bearing the PASS hologram.
Dave Barrett from South Wales Police said:
I have been promoting and encouraging the use of CitizenCard along with the 'No ID, No Sale!' principle for several years. It has proved to be a most valuable tool in tackling sales of alcohol to underage persons within the Vale of Glamorgan.
