BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds has welcomed a new campaign just launched by Her Majesty’s Passport Office to encourage students and any young person who uses a passport for age verification to use alternative identification methods.
These include PASS, the UK national proof-of-age accreditation scheme which issues a photo identification card, and is funded by trade bodies including the British Beer & Pub Association.
The campaign will include posters, letters to key stakeholders, as well as a social media drive to raise awareness of the issue and the problem of identity fraud.
BBPA Chief Executive, Brigid Simmonds, commented, “I very much welcome this new awareness campaign. Pubs want to give young adults the warmest possible welcome, and PASS cards help us to do just that.
'A huge effort has gone into developing and promoting PASS over the years – not just to young people but to venues as well, so that door staff know that PASS is recommended as proof-of-age by both the Home Office and the police.
“Carrying your passport around on a night out is not a good idea – and of course PASS cards should be treated just the same by door and bar staff as either passports or driving licences to gain to entry, so this is a great initiative.”
