Under-25 Liquor Policy
The Under-25 Liquor Policy helps reduce or eliminate situations where minors attempting to purchase or consume liquor are not asked for identification.
In Alberta, legal drinking age is 18. Because it can be difficult to tell if an individual is 18 years old and therefore legal to enter a licensed premise or purchase liquor, the Under-25 policy requires licensees to ask for proof of age from anyone who appears to be under 25 years of age. Setting 25 as the age up to which ID is required means licensees are viewing the IDs of more young adults and increasing the rate at which they prevent minors from purchasing or consuming liquor.
A key component of the policy for the past 10 years has been an audit of licensees, to ensure they are complying with the policy.
In 2002, only 23 per cent of licensees were complying with the policy. There was a significant improvement over the years, with the 2003 audit finding 67 per cent of licensees in compliance. Subsequent audits demonstrated that the percentage of licensees asking for proof of age has continued to increase.
During the 2011 audit, approximately 83 per cent of almost 1,400 licensees complied with the policy on the first visit, while 95 per cent of those who failed the first visit complied on the second.
The AGLC will continue to work with our industry partners to help ensure compliance with the policy and that the responsible sale and consumption of liquor is supported and encouraged.
Under-25 Liquor Policy posters:
Related resources:
AGLC’s liquor industry partners:
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