Don’t Buy for Minors Campaign

Those who buy alcohol for minors, and minors who try to buy it, beware!

The successful Don’t Buy For Minors campaign, conducted by the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission, will be initiating frequent ID checks to locate minors trying to purchase alcohol and people trying to buy it for them. The annual campaign will run until March 24.

Throughout the campaign, introduced in the mid 1980s, liquor- store staff conduct frequent ID checks. As well, newspaper ads and posters in stores will promote responsible use of alcohol.

All liquor-store employees will take a lead role in making the campaign a success. Last year alone, staff turned away more than 12,000 customers with inadequate identification and over 2,000 customers who were suspected to be buying alcohol for minors.

"Our store employees continue to do an excellent job in both supporting and managing many of our socially responsible retailing programs," said John Strickey, director of store operations. Staff participate in a provincewide training program designed to improve skills on ID challenges and customer service.

As part of the campaign, the liquor commission will be using the Check 25 program. People shopping in liquor stores who appear to be aged 25 or younger are asked to provide proof of age. The legal drinking age in Nova Scotia is 19.

"Our goal is to not only verify they are of legal drinking age, but also to continue to raise awareness on issues surrounding underage drinking and buying alcohol for minors," said Mr. Strickey.

The liquor commission will challenge over 200,000 ID checks within its retail stores this year.