Facial age checks now in use at ten Jersey Co-op stores

Co-op shoppers at ten Jersey stores are now being asked to use a face scanner to check they're old enough to buy age-restricted products.

The Channel Islands retailer is trialling age estimation technology to combat underage sales.

It's initially being used for tobacco products and vapes, but will eventually be rolled out for purchases of alcohol, energy drinks and medicines.

The Co-op has partnered with the digital ID app Yoti and British American Tobacco to test the software.

It uses smart facial age estimation to estimate a customer's age.

If the shopper is already signed up to Yoti, they will be asked to scan a QR code on their mobile phone to verify their age.

Otherwise, they will be asked to take a selfie using a tablet at the checkout.  The technology then assess the image of their face and determines if they are old enough to buy the item.

For the pilot, the age threshold is set at 20. Anyone who is estimated to be younger would then be asked by staff to show their proof of age.

Mark Cox (pictured above), CEO of the Channel Islands Co-op, says this about being a responsible retailer, as well as protecting young people and supporting staff.

"It will make it quicker for people purchasing those products and also make sure that age-restricted products don't fall into the wrong hands. 

"We are starting on tobacco and vapes, but there is the opportunity to roll this out on other products such as energy drinks and alcohol."

Danni Tower, Group Head of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs at BAT, says preventing underage access to tobacco and nicotine products is its top priority:

"Our products are for adults only and should never be used by those who are underage. 

"It's certainly going to be a very important tool to contribute to preventing underage access.

"Other important things need to be in place. We need to see much more comprehensive regulation of the vaping category, which we've been advocating for. 

"We need to see strong enforcement of that regulation."

In Jersey, it’s illegal to sell or supply nicotine vapes or nicotine vaping products to someone aged under 18.

Earlier this month, a local survey found strong support for tighter advertising rules, display restrictions, plain packaging and a ban on flavours.

READ: Islanders deem smoking and vaping outside unacceptable.

The Co-op says the photo is permanently deleted one the age-check is completed.

Early results from a British American Tobacco pilot in Europe showed a 99% accuracy rate of the technology. 

It found 99.3% of 13 to 17-year-olds will be correctly estimated as under the age of 21.