Underage alcohol sales in community sporting clubs

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Adolescent alcohol consumption and associated harms are significant public health issues in Australia. One strategy to reduce this problem is restricting alcohol supply to adolescents below age 18. To ensure compliance with laws that forbid underage alcohol sales, effective monitoring systems that operate across a range of settings, including sporting clubs, are required. This study investigated compliance with regulations requiring proof of age identification and refusal of underage alcohol sales in community sporting clubs. DESIGN AND METHODS: Compliance with alcohol sales laws was monitored using a male confederate that appeared under 18 who attempted to purchase alcohol at community sporting clubs in two regional areas of Victoria, Australia during the 2016-2017 sporting seasons. RESULTS: Purchase observations were completed at 43 clubs (observations could not be conducted at 14 clubs); alcohol was purchased at 41 (95%) clubs. Four (9%) clubs asked the confederate-purchaser to provide identification of age-in two instances the purchaser was not sold alcohol and in two instances was sold alcohol after not showing identification. Rates of compliance with proof of age identification and alcohol sales did not vary according to staff- and club-related variables. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates the need for more rigorous enforcement of alcohol sales regulations in community sporting clubs. Community health agencies could work with sporting clubs to assist them to improve compliance with alcohol sales regulations and to provide information on the significant role clubs play in shaping the adolescent alcohol culture.