Responsible Alcohol Retailing

What is 'Challenge 25'?

• AAn age limit meaning that nobody under 25 may buy alcohol in a supermarket or off-licence
• BA type of alcohol
• CA policy of checking ID for anyone who looks under 25 when buying alcohol✓
• DA shop promotion

Answer: Challenge 25 is a responsible retailing policy where staff request ID from anyone who appears to be under 25 years old when purchasing alcohol, regardless of how old they actually look.

What documents count as valid proof of age for alcohol purchase?

• AAny identity document with a photograph on it, including a workplace pass
• BJust a verbal statement
• CA student identity card from a school, college or university only
• DPassport, driving licence with photo, or PASS ID card✓

Answer: Valid proof of age includes a current UK/EU passport, UK photocard driving licence, or a PASS-accredited photo ID card. The ID must show the holder's date of birth and photograph.

What is the legal age to buy alcohol in the UK?

• A21 years old
• B17 years old
• C16 years old
• D18 years old✓

Answer: The legal minimum age to purchase alcohol in the UK is 18 years old. Anyone under 18 is prohibited from buying or consuming alcohol in licensed premises.

What should you do if a customer appears intoxicated?

• ARefuse to serve them✓
• BServe them anyway
• COnly tell the manager
• DServe them a smaller amount

Answer: You must refuse to serve anyone who appears to be intoxicated. Continuing to serve alcohol to an intoxicated person is illegal and can result in licensing action against the premises.

What is a 'proxy sale' in alcohol retailing?

• AAn online purchase
• BWhen someone buys alcohol for someone under 18 (or someone who is intoxicated)✓
• CA discount sale
• DA sale through an agent

Answer: A proxy sale is when someone (often an adult) buys alcohol on behalf of a person who is under 18 or intoxicated. This is illegal and the person requesting the proxy sale commits an offence.

What are the signs of intoxication?

• ASlurred speech only
• BCombination of slurred speech, unsteady balance, flushed appearance, aggression, and poor judgment✓
• CUnspecific signs
• DUnsteady balance only

Answer: Signs of intoxication include slurred speech, unsteady balance, flushed appearance, aggressive behaviour, poor coordination, and impaired judgment. You should look for a combination of these signs.

Can you serve alcohol to a pregnant woman?

• ANo, never
• BYes, there is no law against it✓
• COnly beer, not spirits
• DOnly with written consent from her doctor or midwife

Answer: No law prevents the sale of alcohol to a pregnant woman, and no medical authorisation is required, so a refusal cannot be justified on those grounds. NHS advice is that the safest approach in pregnancy is not to drink at all, and many premises choose to display that advice, but that is a policy and public-health matter rather than a licensing offence.

What is 'duty of care' in alcohol retailing?

• AA legal and moral responsibility to protect customers and the public from harm caused by alcohol✓
• BA responsibility to the owner only
• CA responsibility to maximize sales
• DA responsibility to inform customers of the price

Answer: Duty of care in alcohol retailing means you have a legal and moral obligation to take reasonable steps to protect the welfare of customers and the public, including refusing service when appropriate.

What should you do if you suspect someone is attempting a proxy purchase?

• AServe them anyway, since the person paying is over 18 and that is all that matters
• BSell to the youngest person in the group so that their ID can be checked
• CAsk questions to establish who the alcohol is for✓
• DRefuse the sale

Answer: You should ask questions to establish who the alcohol is actually for. If you believe it's a proxy purchase (buying for someone under 18), you must refuse the sale entirely.

What is the penalty for an adult buying alcohol for a child?

• AA written warning from the police recorded against the buyer's name
• BAn unlimited fine, with no power to imprison✓
• CThe adult goes unpunished, as only the seller commits an offence
• DA small fine of £20

Answer: Buying alcohol for someone under 18 (proxy purchase, s.149 Licensing Act 2003) is a fine-only offence — a level 5 fine, which has been unlimited since March 2015. There is no power to imprison for it. Imprisonment under the Act attaches to unauthorised licensable activity, not to the children's offences.

What should you document if you refuse service to someone?

• AOnly where a manager specifically asks for a record to be made
• BLeave it unrecorded, as refusals need not be logged anywhere
• CThe time, date, reason, and staff member involved✓
• DJust a verbal note passed to the manager at the end of the shift

Answer: It's good practice to document refusals, including the time, date, and reason. This creates a record that protects the premises and staff in case of complaint or legal action.

Can you serve alcohol to someone with an expired ID?

• AYes, if you recognise the customer as a regular at the premises
• BYes, provided the photograph on the document still resembles them
• CNo, only valid, non-expired ID is acceptable✓
• DOnly where the customer looks well over 25 and has no other identification

Answer: No, the ID must be current and valid. An expired ID is not acceptable proof of age, even if the photo is still clear and matches the person.

What is 'age verification'?

• AChecking valid ID to confirm a customer is of legal age✓
• BJudging from a customer's appearance and manner whether they are old enough
• CAsking a customer to state their date of birth and accepting the answer
• DA voluntary practice

Answer: Age verification is the process of checking valid ID to confirm a customer is at least 18 years old before serving alcohol. It's a legal requirement, not optional.

What is a 'PASS accredited ID card'?

• AA photo ID that has been approved as a valid proof of age document✓
• BA passport issued by the government, which is the only form accepted
• CA driver's licence
• DAny ID card

Answer: A PASS-accredited card is a form of ID that meets the national standard for a proof of age document. It's an alternative to a passport or driving licence.

Can you rely on a customer's appearance to determine if they're over 18?

• AOnly if the customer clearly looks over 30 years of age to the server
• BOnly if the customer states that they are old enough to buy alcohol
• CYes, an experienced member of staff can always judge age by appearance
• DNo, you must always ask for ID if in doubt✓

Answer: No, you cannot rely on appearance alone. Challenge 25 and responsible retailing require that you ask for ID if there's any doubt, regardless of how old someone appears.

What should you do if a group of customers enters and some don't have ID?

• ARefuse to serve the entire group✓
• BServe only those with ID
• CServe them and ask for ID later
• DAsk for ID from those who appear young only

Answer: If any member of a group cannot provide valid ID and appears to be under 18, you should refuse to serve alcohol to that person. You can serve the others who have valid ID.

What is 'visible intoxication'?

• AAny customer who is present in a pub or bar at closing time
• BAny customer who has consumed any amount of alcohol at all
• COnly a customer who has passed out or cannot stand unaided
• DA customer who shows clear signs of being drunk✓

Answer: Visible intoxication is when a customer clearly shows signs of being drunk, such as slurred speech, unsteady balance, aggression, or loss of coordination. You must refuse service to such customers.

What training should staff receive on responsible retailing?

• AOnly management needs training
• BOnly new staff need training
• CIt's obvious anyway
• DInitial training and regular refresher training on age verification, signs of intoxication, refusal skills, and licensing law✓

Answer: All staff should receive initial training and regular refresher training on age verification, recognizing intoxication, refusal techniques, and the legal requirements of responsible retailing.

What is the 'Portman Group'?

• AA trade body that produces codes of practice for alcohol industry✓
• BA government agency responsible for issuing personal licences in England
• CA national chain of pubs and hotels operating across the United Kingdom
• DA police unit

Answer: The Portman Group is the drinks industry's umbrella organization for social responsibility. They produce codes of practice on responsible marketing and retailing.

What is 'drinkaware'?

• AA slang term used by bar staff to describe a drunk customer
• BA charity and campaign promoting responsible drinking✓
• CThe trading name of a national chain of city-centre pubs
• DA low-strength type of alcohol sold only in supermarkets

Answer: Drinkaware is a UK charity that promotes responsible drinking and provides evidence-based information about alcohol misuse and its harms.

Can you serve alcohol to someone who is visibly under the influence of drugs?

• ANo, they are still impaired and could be a risk✓
• BOnly if they promise not to drive
• COnly with manager approval
• DYes, the law only mentions intoxication from alcohol

Answer: While the law specifically mentions alcohol, best practice and many premises policies extend to refusing service to anyone who is impaired by any substance, including drugs.

What is 'free pouring'?

• APouring alcohol without charging the customer anything for it
• BServing large quantities
• CPouring spirits from a bottle that has already been opened
• DMeasuring alcohol by sight rather than using a measure✓

Answer: Free pouring is pouring alcohol without using a proper measure (like a jigger or optic). Many premises use measures to ensure consistent serving sizes and responsible retailing.

What are 'units of alcohol'?

• AThe price bands used for drinks sold at the bar during the evening
• BThe different categories of drink sold, such as beer, wine and spirits
• CBottle sizes
• DA measure of pure alcohol content, used to track consumption✓

Answer: A unit of alcohol is a standard measure equal to 10ml of pure alcohol. Understanding units helps customers and staff track alcohol consumption for health and responsibility.

What should you do if a customer becomes aggressive after being refused service?

• ARemain calm, firm, and contact management or security✓
• BCall the customer names so that other customers see you are firm
• CArgue back until the customer accepts that the refusal was correct
• DServe them one more drink to calm them down before they leave

Answer: If a refused customer becomes aggressive, remain calm and firm, don't argue, and immediately involve your manager or security. Your safety is paramount.

What is the 'Licensing Act 2003' requirement about age identification?

• AThe Act requires ID to be requested from every customer, of any age
• BThe Act requires ID from every customer who appears to be under 25
• CRequest ID if you believe they may be under 18✓
• DThe Act contains no requirement about age identification at all

Answer: The Licensing Act 2003 requires requesting ID if you believe the customer may be under 18. Challenge 25 goes further, requesting ID from anyone appearing under 25.

Can you serve alcohol to someone you suspect may be in care or a vulnerable person?

• AYes, they're adults
• BOnly with the written permission of a relative or a carer
• CNo, you must always refuse service to anyone in care or receiving support
• DIt depends on their mental capacity and circumstances✓

Answer: While adults have the right to purchase alcohol, best practice and safeguarding concerns suggest refusing service if you genuinely believe someone lacks capacity or is being exploited.

What is the penalty for a staff member knowingly selling alcohol to a child?

• AJust a warning from the manager recorded in the staff file
• BThe staff member escapes penalty; only the premises licence holder is prosecuted
• CAn unlimited fine, and their personal licence may be forfeited✓
• DA £20 fixed penalty paid directly to the licensing authority

Answer: Selling alcohol to a child (s.146 Licensing Act 2003) is a fine-only offence — level 5, unlimited since March 2015 — and it is a personal offence, so the member of staff is liable, not just the licence holder. A court may also order forfeiture or suspension of a personal licence.

What should premises do to promote responsible drinking?

• AOnly serve spirits
• BDisplay health warnings, support training, and have clear refusal policies✓
• CLeave it entirely alone, because responsible drinking is a matter for the customer
• DOnly serve short measures

Answer: Responsible premises display health information, provide staff training, implement clear refusal policies, and may offer low/no alcohol alternatives to promote responsible drinking.

What is an 'age-restricted product'?

• AAny alcoholic drink
• BAny product that can only be legally sold to people of a certain age, such as alcohol or tobacco✓
• COnly strong spirits
• DOnly beer

Answer: An age-restricted product is anything that can only legally be sold to people of a certain age. Alcohol is restricted to those aged 18+.

What is 'rapid intoxication'?

• ABecoming drunk very quickly
• BA medical condition
• CA sign that service should be refused immediately
• DAll of the above✓

Answer: Rapid intoxication (becoming drunk very quickly) can indicate someone is medically vulnerable or has consumed strong alcohol too fast. Immediate refusal of further service is appropriate.