Stephen Twigg MP launches CitizenCard in Liverpool, West Derby at Kal's News in West Derby
Stephen Twigg MP applauds Liverpool, West Derby' adoption of 'No ID, No Sale' policy to stop children buying age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco.
Mr Stephen Twigg, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, on Friday 2 March 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. Stephen was speaking at Kal's News (Liverpool L12), where he was joined by proprietor Mr Adel Al-Gawany, CitizenCards Marketing Manager Nigel Catlow and students from Cardinal Heenan High School.
MP Stephen Twigg at CitizenCard launch (r-l) Christopher Carroll, Ryan Torley, Nigel Catlow, MP Stephen Twigg, James Crawford and Luke Anderson
The West Derby MP said that following the new government's decision to abolish National ID cards, schemes such as CitizenCard were essential:
I already have 643 CitizenCard cardholders in my constituency but I am urging all young adults in Livepool, West Derby 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 Al-Gawany 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.
