DS is 17 (18 in July) and in his final year of sixth form. His friends are all starting to go out to pubs and clubs and the such like and he can’t go as still underage. Pubs now scan and inspect IDs to within an inch of their life and there are ridiculously heavy fines and penalties enforcing the system. While I understand the need to protect young children from alcoholism surely that level of resource and policing being devoted towards preventing 16/17 year olds going for a pint is just a bit silly - especially if they’re young in the year group and all their friends are basically the same as them in terms of maturity etc. I just don’t see how on earth it’s a proportionate response to saddle hospitality businesses with tens of thousands in fines or even loss of licences (especially if a fake ID is used and they looked 18 with no conceivable way of knowing). I remember I drank in pubs before my 18th birthday. Aibu to think the current policy is utterly silly and overkill?