Underage Sales Prevention

Stickers Help Prevent Underage Sales

Last year, the underage alcohol compliance rate went up four percentage points to 90 percent compliance. This good news is the result of ABC programs such as the "Do Not Sell" stickers, in cooperation with the conscientious efforts of sellers and servers.

The 2010 Do Not Sell stickers are easy-to-read tools that help sellers when checking IDs. They have been coated with a smear-resistant varnish to prevent fading.

Similar to the 2009 stickers, this year's stickers 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 upon request by calling ABC's Public Affairs Division at (804) 213-4418 or e-mailing pubrel@abc.virginia.gov. 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.

As a public safety agency, ABC remains committed to providing the information and tools needed to prevent underage alcohol sales and maintain compliance.

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Pins to Show a Commitment to Carding

Complimentary Compliance Pins display a commitment to carding by wearing a "21 for Alcohol" compliance pin while selling or serving. The yellow pins symbolize efforts by owners and employees of licensed establishments toward preventing the sale of alcohol to underage youth. Complimentary pins can be ordered by e-mailing pubrel@abc.virginia.gov. Please indicate number of pins requested, name of establishment and complete mailing address with zip code.

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FACE: Truth and Clarity on Alcohol

The mission of FACE is to provide truth to the public about alcohol-related problems and clarity on actions that can be taken to reduce those problems. They have a wide assortment of posters and signage for alcohol retailers, including steps on how to check identification and the "We Can Tell If You're Under 21" point of purchase signs. There is a charge for the materials. www.faceproject.org/Resources/index.html

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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 Until" message that is currently printed in red beneath the photograph, DMV also added an "Under 18 Until" message for those persons less than 18 years of age.

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

TIP--To prevent underage alcohol sales, look for the "UNDER 21 UNTIL" line in red lettering on Virginia Driver's Licenses!

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

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