Retail and hospitality staff across Ireland are being encouraged to stay vigilant when selling age-restricted products as social activity increases during the spring and summer months.

Launching the 2026 Show Me I.D – Be Age OK Spring Campaign at Filan’s Centra, Marian Harkin TD, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, highlighted the importance of training and awareness for frontline retail and hospitality workers.

The campaign launch follows a busy trading period around St Patrick’s Day, when retailers play an important role in ensuring age-restricted products are sold responsibly.

Supporting staff

The Show Me I.D programme is Ireland’s largest responsible retail and hospitality training module, supporting staff who sell age-restricted products such as alcohol, tobacco and vaping products, nicotine pouches, and lottery tickets. 

More than 2,000 retail and hospitality staff completed the training module in 2025, reflecting the growing demand for practical guidance on responsible sales. 

The free online module helps staff recognise when to request identification and how to manage situations if a customer may be underage.

The training covers common scenarios faced by retail and hospitality workers, including how to respond if a customer appears underage, what to do if a minor attempts to purchase an age-restricted product, and how to identify acceptable forms of identification.

The module can be completed on any computer, phone or tablet, allowing staff to refresh their knowledge at any time.

To encourage participation, the Spring Campaign includes a competition for retail and hospitality staff who complete the training module.

Participants can enter a draw to win a €100 One4All gift card, with entries closing at 6pm on Monday 20 April 2026.  

Speaking at the launch, Minister Harkin said: “I’m delighted to launch the Show Me I.D Spring Campaign here in Sligo.

“Retailers and hospitality staff play an important role in protecting young people by ensuring age-restricted products are sold responsibly. 

“Training and awareness are essential to support frontline staff in making the right decisions when selling these products.

“The Show Me I.D programme provides practical guidance and gives employees the confidence to check identification and follow the law in their day-to-day work.” 

Finbarr Filan, owner of Filan’s Centra, said staff training remains an important part of responsible retailing:

“We encourage all our staff to complete the training module and to refresh their knowledge during quieter periods.

“Preparation is essential to ensure employees understand their responsibilities and feel confident when asking customers for identification.

“As local businesses, convenience stores are an important part of the community. It’s vital that we maintain high standards and play our part in preventing underage access to age-restricted products.”

For more information about the campaign and to access the free training module, please visit the Show Me ID website: www.showmeid.ie.

Read more: Show Me I.D. completions surpass 2,000

© 2026, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan