Bengaluru:
Home Minister of Karnataka, Priyank Kharge, has directed senior police officials to issue notices to all pubs, breweries, bars, clubs, lounges, restaurants and other establishments serving liquor, instructing them to strictly prevent entry and service of alcohol to underage persons.
The direction follows growing concern over underage drinking and substance exposure among adolescents and young adults in Bengaluru. Recent research conducted among 4,093 students from pre-university courses, undergraduate colleges and higher secondary classes across four educational institutions in Bengaluru has found that one in three adolescents in the city are at risk of developing health issues due to alcohol or tobacco use. The study was conducted by researchers from St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru; CHRIST University, Bengaluru; and Kasturba Medical College, Manipal.
The study further found that 33% of young adults surveyed used alcohol, while nearly 18% were addicted to tobacco. This is significantly higher than the national prevalence rates of 8.7% for tobacco use and 7.9% for alcohol use, and also above Karnataka’s reported prevalence of 4.7% for tobacco use and 8.5% for alcohol consumption. The study also noted that the median age of starting alcohol consumption among Bengaluru adolescents was 17 years, with some reporting initiation as early as 8 years of age.
In view of these serious findings, Priyank Kharge has instructed the police to treat underage drinking not merely as a licensing violation, but as a youth-safety and public-health concern.
All liquor-serving establishments have been directed to implement rigorous age-verification protocols at the point of entry and before service of alcohol.
Key directions issued
1. No ID, No Entry:
No person shall be allowed entry into pubs, breweries, bars, clubs or liquor-serving establishments without valid age proof.
2. Mandatory age verification:
Establishments must verify government-issued identification before permitting entry or serving alcohol.
3. Strict action for violations:
Any establishment found serving liquor to underage persons or abetting underage drinking will be dealt with severely under applicable law.
4. Accountability of management:
Owners, managers, licence-holders and event organisers will be held responsible for violations within their premises.
5. CCTV compliance: Ensure entrance CCTV is functional and preserved for a minimum defined period to verify compliance during investigation.
6. Special focus on youth protection:
Police will also coordinate with educational institutions, parents, resident welfare associations and citizen groups to prevent minors from being exposed to alcohol, tobacco and narcotics.
The Home Minister has made it clear that Karnataka will adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards establishments that enable or encourage underage drinking.
“Children and young people must be protected from alcohol and substance abuse. Commercial establishments cannot place profit above the safety and future of our youth. The rule is simple: No ID, No Entry. Any establishment abetting underage drinking will face severe action,” Priyank Kharge said.
The Home Minister appeals to parents, teachers, citizens and establishment owners to cooperate with the police.
