Prosecutions Not Deterring Alcohol Sales to Minors

Prosecutions Not Deterring Alcohol Sales to Minors

Six out of ten premises sold liquor to under aged volunteers in a Controlled Purchase Operation (CPO) by the Police and Community & Public Health (C&PH) in the Selwyn District last week. Two of the premises had earlier served periods of suspensions after selling to minors in 2006.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr Alistair Humphrey says the results are disappointing as the message is clearly not getting through to licensees.

“Nearly a quarter of all deaths in young people are associated with alcohol,” he said. “Any civilised society should protect its young people and it is for this reason New Zealand has laws such as the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, in which prevention of supply of liquor to those under 18 years of age is a key requirement. Clearly the periods of suspension currently being handed down for such transgressions are not deterring many licensees – some are even continuing to sell to minors after they have received penalties.”

“It seems as if many licensees are prepared to put profit before the lives of young people, and that a suspension of their licence is viewed as an occupational hazard,” Dr Humphrey said.

“The Act allows for the suspension of licences and manager’s certificates for up to six months, however licences are generally only suspended for between one and three days, while managers certificates are suspended for up to 1 month.”

Controlled Purchase Operations (CPOs) usually involve two volunteers aged 16 and 17 years of age entering licensed premises (both on and off licences) and attempting to buy liquor under surveillance by a police officer, a sale of liquor inspector and a liquor licensing officer from C&PH.

The Police and Sale of Liquor Inspector usually seek suspension of the licences and manager’s certificates and will be doing so for every premise which sold to minors on this occasion.

The four premises that refused service demanded ID and enforced a policy of “No ID, No Service”.

ENDS

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