New bill to identify drinks with 1.2% alcohol as alcoholic

The Executive Council has also finished discussing a bill on alcoholic drinks for minors, which proposes that drinks with 1.2% of alcohol by volume be considered alcoholic and banned for minors in public places.

The bill proposes alcoholic drinks should not be sold, provided to or consumed by minors in public places. In addition, minors should not be hired or directed to sell or provide such drinks. They should also not be self-hired to do so.

Specific labels will be distributed to sellers or providers of alcoholic drinks and should be posted conspicuously. Selling or providing alcoholic drinks to minors remotely, especially over the web or by post, is also banned in the bill.

The bill also proposes a penalty schedule that imposes a fine of MOP20,000 for violation of the aforementioned clauses.

It is proposed in the bill that parents or guardians should provide minors with information and education on the health hazards caused by reckless consumption of alcoholic beverages. The public sector should disseminate relevant information to the public, and the Health Bureau (SSM) should provide treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol addicts.

The bill also proposes other administrative violations and additional penalties, criteria for non-prosecution, SSM monitoring measures, and the criteria for seizure of objects, alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages vending machines or advertising media.

SSM director and pulmonologist, Alvis Lo Iek Long, was asked how the government would monitor sale and delivery of alcoholic drinks over the web or by post. He said the government would require websites or vendors to emphasize relevant regulations while contacting buyers. Buyers will also be required to declare their ages when purchasing alcoholic drinks online. AL