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F&B Column No Card - No Service a priority Members of Parliament have made the right and only common sense decision they could in rejecting the proposal to raise the purchase of alcohol from 18 to 20. This proposition simply would not have worked and would not have addressed the problem which is concerning the public, Members of Parliament and indeed the hospitality industry. There is an issue with some minors drinking alcohol to excess. The Government is quite right to have a look at that issue specifically. The Hospitality Association and many other stakeholders will in the New Year be actively involved in the review of the supply of alcohol to minors. With around 87% of alcohol supplied to minors coming from parents and other adults, this is mostly a problem for society. However the industry must take responsibility for reducing the estimated 13% which is currently being purchased directly by minors, either because the industry has failed to ask for ID or they’ve been supplied with false ID. The enforcement agencies, police, health and District Licensing Agency inspectors, are going to continue to target the licensed industry with compulsory purchase operations. Whether justified or not, the numbers continually being caught in these CPO operations are seen as an indication that the industry is not doing enough to stop the supply of alcohol to minors. The industry does not like CPOs but they are a reality. There can only be one response from the industry to CPOs and that is to ensure that all staff ask for ID if they are at all doubtful about a person’s age. Until all of the industry is saying No Card No Service on every occasion, and the agencies fail to catch anybody not doing it through their CPOs, the industry will not be seen to be doing enough or playing their part in stopping the supply of alcohol to minors. Let’s ensure that the industry do not give politicians the excuse to impose greater penalties or more restrictions. No Card No Service must be the rule this Christmas! Bruce H Robertson |
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