ATC sees drop in alcohol sales to underage during annual Mardi Gras crackdown

Agents with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) conducted underage compliance checks at 860 businesses during its two week long Mardi Gras crackdown operation.  This is over triple the number of compliance checks conducted during the same period last year. As a result of the recent checks, 149 citations were issued for alcohol and tobacco sales to underage persons.

Below are statistics by parish on alcohol and/or tobacco products sold to underage persons from March 2nd through March 16th of 2015, compared to 2014:

“Statewide alcohol and tobacco sales to underage dropped from 33% last year to 17% this Mardi Gras season. Obviously, alcohol is a big part of Mardi Gras and it's great news to see that more and more businesses and servers are selling and serving it responsibly," stated ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert. 

Majority of the compliance checks were conducted using 16 and 17 year old undercover operatives. For Mardi Gras, ATC focused the majority of its checks in areas of the state with large parades and festivities.

Remember: The LRA is your solution provider for state-approved, alcohol server training through the ServSafe Alcohol online, two-hour course, available 24-7, anywhere an individual has access to a PC and an internet connection. LRA members receive preferred pricing. 

ATC cites 83 businesses in Mardi Gras sting with 5 days to go

Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) agents have conducted over 600 alcohol and tobacco compliance checks across the state since February 2, 2015. Of those businesses checked, 83 sold alcohol and/or tobacco to underage operatives.

"With the five largest days to go until Mardi Gras, a 13% non-compliance rate is troublesome. Let me be clear to those businesses and servers; alcohol and tobacco permits are a privilege that come with a great deal of responsibility. Those being irresponsible may lose that privilege before Fat Tuesday," stated ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert.

ATC agents and undercover operatives will be working across the state to ensure that illegal sales of alcohol and tobacco do not dampen the Mardi Gras season.

"The majority of undercover operatives used by ATC are 16 and 17 years old. With the legal age to purchase alcohol being 21, there's simply no excuse for these irresponsible sales," added Hebert.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association offers ServSafe Alcohol online server training course at www.laserverpermit.com. For just $24 for members and $30 for non-members, individuals can spend two-hours completing the course anywhere they have a PC and an internet connection and obtain their state-approved responsible vendor permit. A portion of the course is dedicated to proper techniques for checking identification to determine whether a customer is of legal drinking age. 

ATC announces 2014 summer crackdown on underage sales

For the second year in a row, the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) Commissioner Troy Hebert announces a summer crackdown on unlawful sales of alcohol and tobacco to minors.  This year, Commissioner Hebert has ordered more agents in the field conducting more compliance checks than ever before. 

ATC agents conduct compliance checks throughout the year to ensure establishments that sell or serve alcohol and tobacco are conducting business in accordance with state laws.  Throughout the summer months, ATC agents will greatly increase the number of random compliance checks at alcohol and tobacco retail outlets statewide.  This is the second year Commissioner Hebert has ordered the summer crackdown in his agency.  Throughout the summer of 2013, ATC agents conducted more than 3,000 compliance checks. Commissioner Hebert expects his agents to surpass that number this summer.

Can you spot a minor? Read more here. 

“The initiative began last year as a way for ATC to continue its mission to prevent access of alcohol and tobacco products to underage individuals,” said Commissioner Hebert. “I want to make sure ATC is doing its part to keep these products out of the hands of minors throughout the state.”

Anyone caught selling or serving alcohol or tobacco products to minors are subject to criminal and administrative charges. Businesses face fines and penalties that could result in suspension or revocation of their alcohol and tobacco permits.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association offers ServSafe Alcohol, a two-hour online course, available 24-7 and designed to help you serve alcohol responsibly and avoid citations, fines and possible license revocation. ServSafe Alcohol is a vital, practical and current responsible alcohol server training program that includes Louisiana alcohol regulations, including key techniques to determine the age of a guest, the reason to ID and the proper way to check an ID.

ServSafe Alcohol Online is a convenient and easy training solution that prepares bartenders, servers, hosts, bussers, valets, bouncers and front of the house staff to effectively and safely handle difficult situations in the operation. The LRA also offers its Louisiana's BEST (Beverage Education Server Training) course upon request. Call (504) 454-2277 for details.