Underage Sales Prevention

“Do Not Sell” Stickers Help Prevent Underage Sales

The selling and serving of alcoholic beverages is a business that is subject to higher legal and social accountability than almost any other industry. Do Not Sell stickers are easy-to-read tools that help sellers prevent underage sales when checking IDs.

Similar to the 2012 stickers, this year's stickers have been coated with a smear-resistant varnish to prevent fading, and were created using two different colors -- one color for alcohol and one for tobacco. The bold colors were selected to ensure the dates are clearly visible to both consumers and sellers. To deter underage buyers, ABC suggests placing the stickers where both the seller and buyer can see them, possibly on the countertop or bar where purchases are made.

Although not mandatory, it is extremely important these stickers are displayed in all licensed establishments. Additional stickers, including stickers in Spanish, are available free of charge by contacting ABC's Public Affairs Division at pubrel@abc.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 213-4418. Please indicate the number of sheets, mailing address and which versions (alcohol, tobacco or both, and English, Spanish or both) are needed.

Another essential ABC compliance tool is the "Ask 4 ID" training video, a four-minute film that helps sellers and servers prevent underage alcohol and tobacco sales by recognizing driver's licenses and other forms of ID. View "Ask 4 ID" at www.youtube.com/vaabc.

Statistics for fiscal year 2012 show the licensee compliance rate for not selling alcoholic beverages to people under the legal drinking age was 87 percent, a drop of three percentage points from last year. As a public safety agency, ABC remains committed to working with the licensee community to reverse this trend, and to providing the information and tools needed to prevent underage alcohol sales and maintain compliance.

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Check Virginia Driver's Licenses!

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has made Virginia driver's licenses easier for checking an ID to determine if a person is underage.

Driver license photos will be taken face-forward, and the entire license will be printed vertically rather than horizontally so clerks and servers will be able to tell quickly and easily if a customer is under 21.

DMV added a feature to help determine if someone is old enough to buy tobacco products. In addition to the "Under 21" wording near the top of the driver's license, DMV also added at the bottom dates showing "Under 18 Until" and "Under 21 Until."

Visit DMV's website for sample images of driver's licenses and ID cards.

TIP--Under 21 Vertical ID - Near the top of Virginia Driver's license - has wording "Under 21", a photo on left near the middle of ID, and at the bottom of the ID - dates showing "Under 18 Until", "Under 21 Until."

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FACE: The Prevention Resource Group

The mission of FACE is to raise awareness about the impact of substance abuse and provide realistic solutions that promote positive change. They have a wide assortment of resources to assist retailers understand the legal responsibilities involved in alcohol sales and point-of-sale materials with the message "Get your ID out if you plan on buying Alcohol or Tobacco." There is a charge for the materials. www.facecatalog.org/SearchResults.asp?Cat=51

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ID Checking Guide

The Drivers License Guide Co. publishes an annual edition of the ID Checking Guide that helps retailers and law enforcement agencies identify fake IDs. Every valid driver's license format is shown in actual size and full color for all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. You can order the guide from their website or by calling 800-227-8827.
www.idcheckingguide.com

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We Card!

The Coalition for Responsible Tobacco Retailing administers the "We Card" program. "We Card" offers training and materials to help retailers prevent underage sales of tobacco. While most of their materials apply to tobacco law, many of their items also apply to the legal age to purchase alcohol.

Visit their website at www.wecard.org to learn more about their efforts and to see their catalog of underage purchase prevention materials.

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