Energy Drinks Sold To Under 18's.

[sapelesam]

My friend owns a small newsagents shop that has an off licence. He has recently received a letter from the local county council asking him not to sell energy drinks to under 18's. Selling to under 18's is legal but the letter came from the council alcohol and tobacco licensing team and he is worried about ignoring it. This is a small business that can't afford to refuse sales. Any advice would be welcome.

[Old_Geezer]

Surely it is just a request ?

I'm no expert but suspect it is his choice. I don't think kids need energy drinks (probably adults don't either but that's a different issue) but I'd have thought a legal transaction is simply business. It is likely up to their own conscience.

[yogi-bear]

Does he know a local beat Police officer?........They should probably know or be able to give advice.

Citizen's Advice Bureau even.

[EDDIE51]

I can see where the council is coming from, I see school kids every morning queueing up at my corner shop to buy 'breakfast' a can of energy drink and a bar of chocolate. But it is 100% legal, I can't see how the council can threaten to cancel or oppose his alcohol and tobacco licence if he refuses.
I agree energy drinks with their high caffeine can make kids hyperactive.

[sapelesam]

Thanks everybody, some interesting comments. We haven't seen a police officer around here in years. There used to be a couple of plastics but they have gone now...

[DaisyNonna]

Yogi do you have real policemen on the beat?
Where do you live?

[EDDIE51]

DaisyNonna, Policemen 'On the beat' went out at least 20 years ago !
You just get a quick drive past in a patrol car now.
Not even the community service officers walk, just a pair of them in a car or van.

[DaisyNonna]

Drive past where?

[EDDIE51]

^ We get a car with 2 police officers drive along the road once or twice a week. That is as far as 'patrolling ' goes now!

[DaisyNonna]

We should be so lucky!

[horseshoes]

I saw a real policeman today in Llandudno. He wasn't on the beat though, he was manning some sort of information shop. He was giving out biros and leaflets.

[marval]

The people opposite us have had two burglaries, they had a car stolen then some laptops. We now have a police car driving down our close late in the evening to check.

[Patsy33]

Same with us where we live Marval. The next street to us has a few burgaleries over the last few months. A police car patrols round every night.

[marval]

It is quite reassuring Patsy.