More asking for ID before supplying alcohol

More asking for ID before supplying alcohol

The Alcohol Advisory Council today welcomed the results of a survey that shows a significant reduction in the number of Auckland off-licensed premises supplying alcohol to 18-year-olds without asking for proof of age.

However, ALAC remains concerned that almost 50 percent of the outlets surveyed in Auckland supplied alcohol without asking for ID.

“While the drop is significant, we believe too many managers of off-licences throughout the country are still breaking the law by actually selling to people younger than those used in this particular survey,” says ALAC’ s Chief Executive Officer Dr Mike MacAvoy.

“Just this week here in the greater Wellington region, a controlled purchase operation run in Kapiti saw three minors successfully buying alcohol from three out of four local supermarkets and at one of six bottle stores visited.

“The liquor industry has to take responsibility for the supply of alcohol to young people from off-licensed premises. The law clearly states the responsibility of licensed premises and this must be upheld.

“A number of licence suspensions have been issued for sales to minors around the country but still the message doesn’t seem to be getting across.

“We know they are not the only suppliers of alcohol to young people. However, every time an under-age young person makes a successful purchase they are getting the message that such behaviour is OK.”

One way to rein in some of the excesses of youth drinking is to control the supply, whether this is by parents, friends or liquor outlets, says Dr MacAvoy. “When we get concerned about youth drinking we immediately want to point the finger at the young person. But adult sellers of alcohol also have a role to play.

“Adults conduct the promotion, sale and supply of alcohol. We can continue to blame young people or we can focus on controlling the behaviour of adults who supply alcohol to young people.”

The Pseudo Patron Survey used 18 year olds to survey off licensed premises in the greater Auckland region. It follows a similar survey conducted in 2002.

The survey showed a significant decrease in the proportion of sales made without ID at selected off licenses in the Auckland region; 46 percent in 2003 compared with 61 percent in 2002. The survey showed Auckland supermarkets had upped their game from the previous year with 28 percent of the visits to supermarkets resulting in sales of alcohol without ID compared with 53 percent in 2002.

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