Campaign to Reduce Minors' Access to Alcohol

N.S. LIQUOR CORPORATION--Campaign to Reduce Minors' Access to Alcohol

A national public awareness campaign discouraging the use of alcohol by minors was launched today across Canada.

"Minor Problem -- Minors With a Problem. Who cares? We do." is the theme of the first-ever national public awareness campaign co-ordinated by the Canadian Association of Liquor Jurisdictions (CALJ).

All 13 provincial and territorial liquor corporations and liquor boards are participating in the campaign, which includes posters in liquor stores targeted at adults, and posters in high schools and universities targeted at youth. The posters will appear in 3700 liquor stores across Canada. Some jurisdictions will also use radio and print advertisements.

"The issue of minors purchasing alcohol, and adults purchasing alcohol for minors, is a serious one, and a major concern for socially responsible retailers of beverage alcohol," said Sandra Morgan, chair of the CALJ and president of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. "We need to get the message across that it is not acceptable for minors to have access to alcohol. By joining together in a national campaign, we hope we can make an impact on the public's awareness of this issue."

Nova Scotia is helping to put the issue of minors' access to alcohol in the public eye by taking part in this campaign.

"We have had previous No Sales to Minors campaigns, but as part of a national campaign, we feel we will have an even greater impact," said Bruce Rogers, acting president of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation.

"Our mission is not only to sell alcohol, but also to make sure that alcohol is sold according to the law," said Mr. Rogers. "It is a responsibility that has two starting points: providing information and obeying the law. And this is exactly what we are doing with this campaign."