Controls in Cologne: Young people get an unauthorized alcohol and cigarettes!

Controls in Cologne: Young people get an unauthorized alcohol and cigarettes!

On Wednesday, June 11th, the Cologne police, together with the Ordnungsamt of the City of Cologne, carried out extensive controls in various districts. The focus was on enforcing criminal, regulatory and commercial regulations. Among other things, Wiener Platz, the Stadtgarten, the Mülheim train station and several streets in Dellbrück, Holweide and Thielenbruch were checked. With around 60 controlled people during the day and several danger speeches, it was a busy afternoon for the emergency services. Various traffic violations were also punished and an attentive youth group found an aggressive behavior and show fights. This led to the references, among other things, a 17-year-old was taken into custody and handed over to his legal guardians. Especially in the eyes of the inspectors, the kiosks, especially in the Kiosk Guilleaumestrasse, which had repeatedly sold illegal tobacco products to minors.

If such serious violations occur in retail, this affects the businesses directly. In the Kiosk Guilleaumestrasse, not only numerous inadmissible products were secured, but also the immediate and temporary closure of the shop were initiated. A corresponding trade subsequent proceedings against the operator was also started. Similar violations were found in other kiosks, for example with regard to commercial labeling obligations and inadmissible video surveillance. The city of Cologne has already initiated measures against the violations found, showing that it attaches great importance to the protection of minors.

test purchases and youth protection

The controls were not without reason: with the upcoming start of the carnival session on November 11th. the regulatory office has organized special test purchases. In this context, 39 out of 50 controlled sales outlets were caught when selling hard alcoholic and tobacco to young people. The 17-year-old trainee Harry, who was used for these test purchases, received nothing on a kiosk on the first attempt at a kiosk, since his identity card was requested and the seller was requested by the requirements of the Youth protection law . In the second attempt, however, there was a violation when Harry was able to buy an alcoholic mixed drink without age verification. This led to a fine of over 200 euros for the kiosk owner. Ralf Mayer, head of the regulatory office, was not only surprised by the distortion of the youth protection regulations, but also emphasized that test purchases should be continued by November 11th.

The youth protection law sets clear rules for the sale and consumption of tobacco and alcoholic beverages. It is expressly prohibited to hand over tobacco products to children and adolescents under the age of 18, as well as consumption under the 18th Automatic sales machines must be equipped so that they are inaccessible to this age group. The control measures thus show that the city of Cologne actively acts against disregarding these regulations.