Protection of minors Still many alcohol sales to young people in the canton of Solothurn

During test purchases of alcohol and tobacco in the canton of Solothurn, petrol station stores were the best at protecting minors. As before, there were hardly any checks on online sales, as the canton announced on Tuesday.

On behalf of the cantonal health department and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security, the Blue Cross carried out 225 alcohol and tobacco test purchases last year. In the case of alcohol sales, retailers in the canton of Solothurn adhered less to the youth protection regulations than in the case of tobacco, as the state chancellery writes in a press release.

Compared to the previous year, the result was slightly better. In 27 percent of test purchases, young people were given tobacco products (2022: 30 percent), according to the statement. The corresponding figure for alcohol was 44 percent (47 percent). The worst results were achieved by restaurants and events, where young people received alcohol in 54 percent of cases.

Petrol station stores passed the test best, where alcohol was only dispensed in 20 percent of cases, according to the press release. Young people still had no problem obtaining alcohol from online retailers, where the situation improved only slightly to 87% (2022: over 90%), according to the press release.

A punishable offense

Retailers need to be aware that alcohol consumption poses high health risks for young people and that selling to minors or under-16s is a criminal offense

An awareness campaign launched at the end of 2023 should improve the situation. The canton is planning a further information campaign at points of sale following the entry into force of the Tobacco Products Act and the ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors in fall 2024.

SDA