Inspectors from the Public Health Department have noted multiple violations related to the consumption of alcohol by minors. The inspectors conducted spot checks, mainly on Friday during the celebration of the end of the examinations, and in almost one-third of the verifications, alcohol was served to minors, Het Nieuwsblad, Gazet Van Antwerpen and De Standaard newspapers reported on Thursday.
The checks were intensified because of the World Cup and the end of the examination period.
"We carried out checks in 67 municipalities last week,” Paul Van den Meersche, Chief Inspector at the Health Department, explained. “We made 270 checks and noted 78 infractions. In about 30% of the cases, alcohol was offered to minors.”
“We were able to see many young people who were already adults giving alcoholic beverages to minors,” Van den Meersche added. “In half of the checks, night shops sold alcohol to minors.”
The Health Department says it will continue the checks this summer, starting with the last matches of the Football World Cup. Small festivals and concerts will also be targeted.
The Brussels Times
