Young people are finding it easier to get hold of alcohol in Switzerland. Last year underage volunteers were sold beer, wine or spirits in a third of test purchases, according to the Swiss Alcohol Board, up from a quarter in 2013.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch and agencies, swissinfo.ch and agencies
One reason for this – the highest level since 2008 – is that more test purchase were carried out in the evening.
The success rate doubled – from 26.7% to 54.2% – later in the day, the alcohol board said on Friday.
During the day, the young people were asked for ID four times out of five; in the evening, fewer than half were, the alcohol board said on Friday.
Almost one in five of the young buyers were not even asked for their ID. The legal drinking age (16 for wine and beer, 18 for spirits, liqueurs, cocktails and alcopops).
However, some places enforce the law more than others. In petrol stations only a sixth of test buyers were successful. In bars and shops licensed to sell alcohol one in two was. In restaurants, 44% were served alcohol.
The Swiss Alcohol Board said in 2014 it was more than twice as easy to buy alcohol in places where it is consumed immediately than bought to take away.
Using this information, the board said it planned to raise awareness and training among sales staff.
Last year more than 5,000 test purchases were carried out.
Popular Stories
More
Foreign affairs
What Trump’s return or a new Harris administration would mean for Switzerland
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
One in four attempts to buy alcohol underage succeeds
This content was published on
The Federal Alcohol Board said the 5,500 tests carried out across the country last year revealed that, on average, youngsters in about 25% of cases could purchase alcohol, notably at parties and events late at night. The figure is 3% down on the previous year and a clear improvement over the year 2000 when the…
This content was published on
Drinking alcohol is still at a high level, with 14 per cent of 13-year-olds getting drunk at least once a month, the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems reported on Tuesday. The Lausanne-based organisation called for stricter control measures, arguing that alcohol was too easy to obtain in Switzerland and too…
This content was published on
Since the peak in 2008, the number of inpatients – of all ages – with alcohol poisoning has constantly declined, according to a study published on Wednesday carried out by Addiction Switzerland for the Federal Office of Public Health. The researchers looked at the period 2003-2012. The largest decrease in alcohol poisoning since 2008 (19%)…
This content was published on
This corresponds to 0.7% of Swiss gross domestic product (GDP) or CHF632 per person aged over 15. These were the findings of the only study on the subject in Switzerland, published on Thursday by the Federal Health Office. The authors said the consumption of alcohol not only had consequences for an individual’s health, but also…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.