Pramesh S Jain
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has directed police authorities to enforce strict age-verification measures at pubs,breweries,bars,clubs,lounges, restaurants and other liquor-serving establishments across the state, warning of severe action against venues that allow underage drinking.
The directive comes amid growing concern over alcohol and tobacco consumption among adolescents and young adults in Bengaluru.
A recent study conducted by researchers from St.John’s Medical College,CHRIST University and Kasturba Medical College surveyed 4,093 students from pre-university,undergraduate and higher secondary institutions in Bengaluru and found that one in three adolescents is at risk of developing health problems linked to alcohol or tobacco use.
According to the study,33 per cent of respondents reported consuming alcohol,while nearly 18 per cent were addicted to tobacco.
These figures are significantly higher than national prevalence rates and Karnataka’s reported averages.
The study also found that the median age for initiating alcohol consumption among Bengaluru adolescents was 17 years,with some respondents reporting that they began drinking as early as eight years of age.
Citing the findings,the Home Minister instructed police to treat underage drinking not merely as a licensing violation but as a serious youth-safety and public-health issue.
Under the new directions,liquor-serving establishments have been asked to implement rigorous age-verification procedures both at entry points and before serving alcohol.
The key measures include a strict “No ID,No Entry” policy, mandatory verification of government-issued identity documents,stringent action against establishments serving alcohol to minors,and accountability of owners,managers,licence-holders and event organisers for violations occurring on their premises.
The government has also directed establishments to ensure that CCTV cameras at entrances are functional and that footage is preserved for a specified period to aid investigations when required.
Police have additionally been asked to coordinate with educational institutions,parents,resident welfare associations and community groups to prevent minors from being exposed to alcohol,tobacco and narcotic substances.
Stating that the government would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards underage drinking,the Home Minister said commercial establishments cannot place profits above the safety and future of young people and warned that any venue found enabling underage drinking would face severe legal consequences.
He also appealed to parents,teachers,citizens and business owners to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in protecting children and adolescents from substance abuse.
