Compliance with the Legislation on Alcohol Serving and Selling and Alcohol Intoxications in Adolescents

Purpose: study the relation between compliance to the legal age limits for alcohol sales and alcohol intoxication in adolescents. Methods: from 2007 till 2012 we collected data on adolescents, with a positive BAC, treated in a hospital. Within the Dutch Pediatric Surveillance System (NSCK), pediatricians report adolescents and fill in a questionnaire. In 2012 the questionnaire was extended, involving questions on how and where alcohol was obtained. Results: in total 3,286 adolescents were treated, mainly (88%) related to severe alcohol intoxication; main age 15.3 years, and 54% were boys. BAC level is 1.84 on average, and reduced consciousness last almost three hours. Almost 18% of the adolescents with alcohol intoxication drank themselves into the hospital in a bar or discotheque. Out of the people who indicated how and where they obtained alcohol in about 20% vendors in supermarkets, liquor stores and bars offended the legal age limits. Conclusions: alcohol intoxication treatment remains an issue of importance. For the first time worldwide, we demonstrated that non-compliance with the sales of products with a legal age limit, cause the severe consequences of alcohol intoxication. We call for the catering industry and retailers to improve their compliance, and governments to increase enforcement