Fingerprint to curb underage drinking

Feb 13, 2010

London: A liquor outlet in Britain has come up with a unique way to combat underage drinking — it has installed an electronic "fingerprinting" gadget. Shoppers who prove they are 18 by showing their passport or driving licence will have their fingerprint

stored on the machine. After that they need only press their thumb on the gadget, which responds with a "thank you" if it has been recognised, the Daily Express reported.

Owner Peter Calnon hopes it will prevent youngsters trying to buy alcohol. "It was a Spar retailer up north who sourced this product from the manufacturer and thought it was fantastic. Spar got involved and negotiated a reduced price for the machine, putting it out as an option for all its shops," Peter was quoted as saying.

Calnon, whose daughter Leah, 15, helps at the shop, said his policy to ask anyone who looked younger than 25 for ID had led to some angry confrontations. "Anything like this that supports staff and reduces the chance of a mistake has got to be a good thing." —PTI

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