Bendigo Community Health Services’ annual supply monitoring audit of local takeaway liquor outlets has revealed alcohol is being sold to people to who appear underage in Bendigo.
Late last year, BCHS sent mystery shoppers who appeared under the age of 18 into 32 local liquor stores. The audit showed that:
- 12 stores sold alcohol.
- 4 of the 12 sold alcohol even after the purchaser said they didn’t have ID.
- 20 stores asked for ID and refused to sell if the purchaser said they didn’t have ID.
- 13 per cent of chain stores sold alcohol without asking for ID.
- 40 per cent of independent stores sold alcohol without asking for ID.
- 33 per cent of franchise stores sold alcohol without asking for ID.
- Alcohol signage laws were visible in 75 per cent of audited stores, and 29 per cent of these did not request for ID from the purchaser.
Health Promotion officer Monthira Sonsuwan (pictured above) said the audit showed 63 per cent of stores asked for ID before selling alcohol to people perceived by an expert panel to be under the age of 18.
“While our audit revealed the majority of stores did the right thing, we are concerned that there are still retailers breaking the law,” Monthira said.
“In Victoria, an identification card must be shown by anyone who looks under 25, otherwise alcohol can’t be sold to them.”
The audit was the first stage of the supply monitoring process. Those 32 stores attended will now receive a copy of the audit results, after which a mystery shopper who appears underage will visit again, and both audit results compared.
Monthira said the annual audit aimed to encourage stores to check for ID, every time, to ultimately limit underage drinking.
She said although research showed more young Australians were delaying their first alcoholic drink, many still began drinking before the age of 18.
“We know when a young person begins drinking early and frequently, it increases the likelihood that the person will experience a dependence on alcohol later in life,” she said.
“Under-age drinking can also lead to binge drinking and risk-taking behaviours.”
As well as a risk of injuries, alcohol poisoning and potentially death, alcohol is a significant factor in fighting, drowning, exposure to STIs, unplanned pregnancies, drug overdose, self-harm and suicide.
“Ideally we’d like to see 100 per cent compliance with the liquor laws, or at least a significant improvement on the 37 per cent of retailers who sold alcohol to people appearing under 18.”