CitizenCard chief executive Andrew Chevis has said it should be a legal requirement for retailers to accept ID cards carrying the PASS hologram logo as proof of age.

"CitizenCard is the biggest ID card scheme in the country and having the PASS hologram makes them the most difficult to counterfeit," he said. "Yet cards carrying the PASS hologram are sometimes refused by staff. It should become law that all cards carrying it are acceptable ID.

"I urge local authorities to write into licensing conditions that all cards containing the PASS hologram be accepted as valid ID and that only these cards be accepted, alongside passports and photo driving licences."

Chevis made his comments at a parliamentary reception to celebrate the ID scheme's 10th anniversary, and the fifth anniversary of the 'No ID No Sale' message.

Since its launch more than 1.9 million CitizenCards have been issued. Application packs are available through tobacco manufacturers' representatives, Camelot and local authorities.