CKUA

[Arctec]

VICTORIA – If a teenager is caught using a fake ID to buy booze, it’s the customer and not the licenced premises that will get the penalty under new B.C. legislation.

The B.C. government is moving to make the use of fake ID a ticket offence, with ticket payment a requirement for issuing or renewing a driver’s licence. It’s also tinkering with its bar, restaurant and private liquor store regulations in an effort to reduce car crashes and alcohol poisoning by reckless under-aged drinkers.

Last week, Solicitor General John Les announced a carrot-and-stick approach for B.C. liquor outlets, increasing the penalties for serving underage customers while lifting the mandatory-ID rule for everyone who looks to be under 25.

Two pieces of ID will still be required, with one being government-issue. But forcing liquor retailers to check everyone who “appears to be under 25” was found to be ineffective and difficult to enforce. Serving underaged drinkers continues to be one of the most frequent infractions found by liquor inspectors, who are coping with a proliferation of private liquor stores along with pubs, restaurants and government stores.

Legislation to be introduced will increase the minimum penalty for bars who let in minors to a $5,000 fine and four-day licence suspension, up from $1,000 and one day. Selling liquor to a minor will bring a minimum $7,500 fine and a 10-day shutdown.

Les cites an adolescent health survey conducted by Vancouver-based McCreary Centre Society, which found lower overall teenage drinking but an increase in binge drinking.

“When minors drink alcohol, there can be tragic consequences, such as sexual assaults, car crashes, street fighting and alcohol poisoning,” Les said.

The McCreary Centre study found the number of drivers who reported driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol fell from 36 per cent in 1998 to 26 per cent in 2003. It suggests graduated licensing with zero tolerance for alcohol might have contributed to the improvement.

The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch has tips for liquor sellers on how to spot fake ID.

There should be a well-lit area to check for bubbles in lamination, new birth dates or photos pasted onto cards, or other alterations.

It should be quiet enough to ask the ID holder questions, such as “What’s your zodiac sign?” or “How do you spell your middle name?”