MP Brian Binley launches CitizenCard in Northampton South
Brian Binley MP applauds Northampton South' adoption of 'No ID, No Sale' policy to stop children buying age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco.
Mr Brian Binley, on Friday 30th March 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. Brian was speaking at Normans News, 31 Drapery, Town Centre (Northampton NN1), where he was joined by proprietor Mrs Patel and CitizenCard's Public Affairs Manager Laura McClelland.
The Northampton South MP said that following the new government's decision to abolish National ID cards, schemes such as CitizenCard were essential:
I already have 2158 CitizenCard cardholders in my constituency but I am urging all young adults in Northampton South, 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.
Mrs 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.
