Controls in Cologne: Young people are given alcohol and cigarettes without permission!

Controls in Cologne: Young people are given alcohol and cigarettes without permission!

On Wednesday, June 11th, the Cologne police, together with the Cologne city public order office, carried out extensive checks in various parts of the city. The focus was on enforcing criminal, regulatory and trade law regulations. Among other things, Wiener Platz, Stadtgarten, Mülheimer Bahnhof and several streets in Dellbrück, Holweide and Thielenbruch were checked. With around 60 people checked over the course of the day and several threats addressed, it was a busy afternoon for the emergency services. Various traffic violations were also punished and an attentive youth group noticed aggressive behavior and mock fights. This led to expulsions, including a 17-year-old being taken into custody and handed over to his legal guardian. The kiosks were particularly in the eyes of the inspectors, especially the one in Guilleaumestrasse, which had repeatedly sold illegal tobacco products to minors.

If such serious violations occur in retail, it has a direct impact on commercial businesses. Not only were numerous unauthorized products confiscated in the Guilleaumestrasse kiosk, but the immediate and temporary closure of the store was also initiated. A corresponding business ban procedure was also started against the operator. Similar violations were found in other kiosks, for example regarding labeling requirements under commercial law and inadmissible video surveillance. The city of Cologne has already initiated measures against the violations identified, thereby showing that it attaches great importance to the protection of minors.

Test purchases and protection of minors

The controls were not carried out without reason: With the carnival session about to begin on November 11th. the public order office organized special test purchases. As part of this, 39 of 50 sales outlets checked were caught selling hard alcohol and tobacco to young people. The 17-year-old trainee Harry, who was used for these test purchases, received nothing on his first attempt at a kiosk because his ID card was required and the seller did not comply with the requirements Youth Protection Act respected. However, a violation occurred on the second attempt when Harry was able to purchase an alcoholic mixed drink without age verification. This led to a fine of 200 euros for the kiosk owner. Ralf Mayer, head of the public order office, was not only surprised at the distortion of the youth protection regulations, but also emphasized that the test purchases should continue until November 11th.

The Youth Protection Act sets clear rules for the sale and consumption of tobacco and alcoholic beverages. It is expressly prohibited to supply tobacco products to children and young people under the age of 18, as well as consumption under 18. Automatic vending machines must be equipped in such a way that they are inaccessible to this age group. The control measures show that the city of Cologne is actively taking action against disregarding these regulations.

In summary, it can be said that the latest controls by the police and the public order office are aimed at sending a clear signal towards the protection of minors. The city of Cologne makes it clear: the health of young people is not being played with here. This is also reflected in the consistent measures taken against kiosks that have repeatedly violated the law. With a view to the upcoming carnival season, all interested parties should be aware of how important child protection is and how hard the city strives to enforce its laws.