Retailers Urged To Be Vigilant When Selling Alcohol

Isle of Anglesey County Council’s Trading Standards Section warns retailers to be vigilant when selling alcohol to young people over the exam results period. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Exam results day is an exciting time for everyone, especially for the pupils as they will in no doubt want to celebrate their achievements. But alcohol is a dangerous substance, and could cause serious damage. That’s why today parents & guardians are being urged to do their part to protect the health and safety of young teenagers, and ensure that their children don’t go out and buy alcohol and refuse to buy alcohol for them on their behalf. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A report published by Under Age Sales Ltd based on a survey by OnePoll, found that of the 1000 15-16 year olds surveyed nationally, almost half admitted alcohol could play a part in the celebration of their GCSE results. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Although most will get their parents, older friends, or family members to buy alcohol for them, 20% indicated an intention to purchase it themselves, despite the majority not having a fake ID. Compared to the national average of just 13%, almost a quarter of respondents (24%) in Wales were intending to meet up to celebrate with friends in an outdoor public place such as a park. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Although parents and family members may see little harm in a celebratory alcoholic drink, the research found that teenagers admitted that under the influence of alcohol they were more likely to get themselves into precarious situations; 20% arguing with family/friends, 15% found themselves injured, admitted to hospital or blacked out, and 10% confessed to having unplanned sex. Almost 10% had been involved in physical violence or drugs taking, whilst 5% of girls admitted to self-harming after drinking. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anglesey’s Chief Public Protection Officer, David Riley said, “Underage drinking not only leads to anti-social behaviour in our parks and on our streets, but can be dangerous for the individuals involved, making them take risks and do things they wouldn’t normally do.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Fortunately the research indicates that most teenagers don’t use fake ID, and as such underage sales can be prevented by responsible retailers operating Challenge 25; whereby anyone appearing under 25 is asked for proof of age, No ID, No Sale. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As part of the Challenge 25 drive, Trading Standards staff undertake test purchasing exercises to ensure retailers are doing their part to discourage underage drinking. The team undertake these tests throughout the island, and if retailers fail a test purchase enforcement action will be taken against them.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anglesey’s Planning & Economic Development portfolio holder, Councillor Richard Dew, urged parents and family members to “act responsibly and do their part to protect the health and safety of the young people on Anglesey by not encouraging underage drinking and not supplying alcohol to youngsters.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In order to help support retailers, North Wales Trading Standards have been working collaboratively with Citizencard to provide free advice packs to retailers and PASS approved proof of age cards free of charge to all students across North Wales through their school/college. Any resident not in full time education can also access the cards at a North Wales reduced rate of £9 each (reduced from £15) by applying online at http://www.citizencard.com/ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Any retailer seeking advice, training or guidance on age restricted products and preventing underage sales should contact the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s Trading Standards Section on 01248 752840. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​