Youth inspectors uncover illegal tobacco and alcohol sales to minors in Denmark

For the past month, youth inspectors from the Danish Safety Authority have visited a range of establishments—from retail stores to gas stations—to monitor sales of tobacco and alcohol to individuals under 18. Recent statistics reveal that one in three shops has sold these substances to minors during inspections.

Teenage inspectors, aged 15 to 17, have conducted over 600 visits, with 195 resulting in illegal sales of tobacco or alcohol. This marks a significant increase in successful detections compared to previous inspections, as stated by Kirsten Wilbour Dam Christiansen, Deputy Director of the Safety Authority. She expressed satisfaction with the effectiveness of the new oversight measures, noting that no illegal sales were detected last year and only two incidents occurred in the spring.

Coop, a major retail chain, has reported that more than 100 of its stores were visited by youth inspectors, who managed to purchase tobacco and alcohol in every third inspected store. Jens Juul Nielsen, Coop Denmark’s Communications Director, emphasized the need for improvement in compliance with regulations, citing the high costs of noncompliance.

If a store sells alcohol to a minor, it faces an initial fine of 10,000 kroner. In the case of selling tobacco, e-cigarettes, or herbal smoking products to minors, the first offense carries a penalty of 25,000 kroner.

The Safety Authority’s inspection methods face some pushback from retailers; however, Health and Interior Minister Sophie Løhde asserts that heightened enforcement has become necessary to combat the ease with which minors can purchase these products. The youth inspectors will continue their activities for a duration of two years.