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The Students' Union asks for proof of age if a customer who appears to be under the age of 25 wants to buy age-restricted products from one of their campus outlets

University of Sussex student cards that display the student's date of birth are now accepted as proof of age in outlets on campus that are run by the Students’ Union.

Carl, Operations Officer in the Students’ Union, said: “We're always keen to make being a student better and easier. Something we know some students have trouble with is having an acceptable form of identification when trying to buy age-restricted things like alcohol and cigarettes.

“The law requires all outlets selling age-restricted products to ask for proof of age when selling these items. This usually means carrying a driving licence or passport around - things that not everyone has and things that not everyone wants to risk losing by carrying around.

“We've been working with the Police and Brighton and Hove Council for several years to try to find a solution and they’ve now agreed that we can accept Sussex student cards in East Slope Bar, Falmer Bar and our shop in Falmer House.”

A student card – that carries the student’s date of birth - is only accepted as proof of age in these outlets and will not be accepted at other venues on campus or in Brighton.

It is important that the Union asks for proof of age if a customer buying age-restricted products appears to be under the age of 25. This protects the Students' Union’s licence (and therefore its ability to continue selling these products) as well as its staff, who can be individually fined and prosecuted if they serve someone who is under the required age.

Carl added: "As a former member of staff in our bars I'm aware of our legal obligation to ask for proof of age and also how awkward some students find it to have the correct proof with them. 

"I'm so pleased that the Students' Union has been able to negotiate this option for students which will make things so much easier for students and our staff as well as ensuring that all students have easy access to an accepted form of ID."