The following requirements and recommendations are orientated to authorities who issue licences for the sale of alcohol within the scope of EURO 2008.
The requirements for the sale of alcohol are regulated by national and Cantonal laws. At Cantonal level the legal regulations differ to some extent. Therefore it is important that the criteria is checked, discussed and implemented in close cooperation with the participating authorities and specialist centres. In spite of different laws and licensing structures coordination between the host cities and places with Public Viewing Areas is important so that across Switzerland the rules are as uniform as possible.
The licensing authorities can set up the necessary framework with the help of the present criteria. On this issue there are two ways of proceeding:
- With the support of Cantonal specialist centres they could create checklists, which they then issue to applicants. By doing so they create clarity about the legal provisions and specific requirements and simplify the licensing process. The aim of this is that the applicants acknowledge the need for prevention-orientated behaviour and are obliged to observe the requirements stated by the licensing authorities.
- They could demand that the applicant submits a written concept, in which he/she is obliged to fulfil the necessary requirements. The licensing authorities work together with prevention specialist centres. They also consider jointly how observance of the under-age drinking law can be ensured (for example random checks on site or test purchases) and which sanction options are available to them.
VBS - Project-organisation of public funds - UEFA EURO 2008
Hotelgasse 10, CH-3003 Bern, telephone +41 (0)31 325 88 34, fax +41 (0)31 325 88 49, www.switzerland.com
In order to meet the requirements of the under-age drinking law and to avoid alcohol-related problems at EURO 08, the following criteria have to be taken into consideration within the scope of the licensing process:
- Notices about the „age restrictions"
Swiss law stipulates that information notices have to be displayed at premises selling alcohol regarding the age restrictions on the purchase of alcohol: no alcohol at all is to be sold to people under the age of 16. Spirits, aperitifs and Alco-pops cannot be sold to people under 18. With a sufficient number of well-placed notices at the till, on the counter on walls and shelves the desired effect can be achieved. Such notices can also be ordered from numerous Cantonal specialist addiction centres, alcohol advice organisation, from the Swiss Specialist Centre for Alcohol and other Drug Problems (in German, French, Italian and English: www.sfa-ispa.ch) or from cool & clean (www.coolandclean.ch).
- Advertising restrictions
The law prohibits any type of adverts for alcoholic drinks which are orientated to under 18-year olds. Depending on the length of the Public Viewing Area, such as for example in and around public buildings, a general advertising ban applies for spirits. The right to stricter Cantonal laws is reserved. - No small retail outlets selling spirits
The law also prohibits small shops selling spirits on streets and in areas that are accessible to the public. A Cantonal exceptional license has to be obtained for licenses for events. The working group recommends not selling spirits.
- Only use trained shop personnel
If they behave themselves in a responsible manner, shop personnel can considerably help to reduce alcohol-related problems. Anyone trained in alcohol prevention, can observe the under-age restrictions better and has learnt how to deal with drunken people. Please contact you local specialist prevention centre for questions about training. The most important content of these courses are: protection of young people, ID checks, dealing with drunken people.
- Low prices for alcohol-free drinks
The consumption of alcohol can be easily and effectively influenced by the selling price. Several non-alcoholic drinks (particularly soft drinks and fruit juices) should be on offer, and be considerably cheaper than alcoholic drinks and available at all drinks stands.
- Attractive non-alcoholic drinks
Sales stands should offer a wide, attractive selection of alcohol-free drinks.
- Light beer and alcohol-free beer
The dispensing of alcohol should where possible be limited to light beer (approx. 2.5 percent) and alcohol-free beer, which should be offered at a considerably cheaper price than normal beer.
- Purchasing limitations when selling alcohol
1. In order to prevent negative effects due to the improper consumption of alcohol, limitations can also be introduced for the amount of alcohol allowed per purchase.
2. Another way of limiting the amount purchased is to only dispense alcohol in open containers (plastic cups) outside of restaurants. The use of glass containers should be avoided for safety reasons, as broken bottles or glass can cause serious injuries.
3. In addition the requirement that reusable cups (which can be purchased with the first drink) are used also leads to an automatic reduction in the amount of alcohol purchased as well as causing less waste and is therefore sensible and recommended.
- Time restrictions on the sale of alcoholic drinks
Temporary sales restrictions on alcoholic drinks in the surrounding shops (supermarkets, small shops and family companies, restaurants and many more) have to be checked. (In the Canton of Geneva the sale of alcohol at petrol stations and between 9 pm and 7 am is prohibited by law).
- Mineral water and water for everyone
Refilling reusable cups with mineral water or tap water should be free or very inexpensive.
Participating town, Cantonal and regional specialist centres:
• Fan work Switzerland (FaCH)
• Bern Health (Beges Bern)
• Baselland Health Promotion
• Addiction Counselling in the Aarau district (ags)
• Addiction preventative centre of Zurich (SuPZ)
• Department of Justice for the city of Basel (The department for Young People, Families and Prevention)
• Specialist centre for the prevention of addiction, Blaues Kreuz, Bern
• Fédération Genevoise pour la Prévention de l'Alcoolisme (FEGPA)
• Groupement Romand d'Etudes des Addictions (GREA)
• Croix-Bleue romande
• Swiss specialist centre for alcohol and other drug problems (SFA)
Participating organisations at Federal level:
• Project-organisation of public funds EURO 2008
• Federal Office for Sport (BASPO)
• Federal Office for Health (BAG)
• Swiss Olympic Association (SOA)
• Swiss Criminal Prevention (SKP)
• Swiss Federal Alcohol Management (EAV)
|
