Addictions France calls for stronger controls and sanctions for the sale of alcohol to minors

As part of test purchases made between 2021 and 2025 in large stores (E. Leclerc, Lidl, Carrefour, etc.) as well as in small grocery stores, bars, and restaurants, Addictions France highlighted the fact that 86,% of the stores tested sold alcohol to minors, with a sales rate rising to 97,% for bars and cafes. 75,% of these establishments continue despite ongoing legal proceedings, and only 9,% request an identity card. This situation is explained by the lack of accountability of sellers, a lack of controls, their coordination, and sanctions. At a conference in early July 2025, Addictions France proposed several courses of action, drawing inspiration in particular from recommendations already made to reduce the sale of tobacco products to minors with more random checks and test purchases, a system of stronger and gradual sanctions, both judicial and administrative.[1].

Alcohol is widely sold to minors despite widespread public opposition.

The report highlights that despite the ban on the sale of alcohol to minors, it is frequently violated, with sales observed during test purchases conducted by Addictions France. It appears that young people under 18 do not encounter any difficulty purchasing alcohol at various points of sale, whether in stores or in establishments such as bars or restaurants, results even more alarming than the already worrying findings regarding the illicit sale of tobacco products to minors by tobacconists.

In particular, during the test purchases carried out in April-May 2025, 91 % of the 55 establishments where the sale of alcohol to minors had been observed, continued to sell to minors during new visits.

Selling alcohol to a minor is, however, a crime and is punishable by a fine of €7,500. In the case of a repeat offense (within 5 years), the fine can be increased to €15,000 and accompanied by a one-year prison sentence. Additional penalties are possible, such as a temporary ban on operating a license. However, these penalties are rarely applied due to rare inspections and limited convictions.

However, the report points out that 92% of French people consider the sale of alcohol to minors unacceptable, and 94% of parents of teenagers share this opinion.

Obstacles and shortcomings of the current system

The association identifies several obstacles. First, it points to the lack of training and clear instructions given by managers of various establishments to salespeople regarding age control and refusal of sale. For example, only five establishments had agreed to train their staff during an awareness module offered free of charge by Addictions France.

Furthermore, as the CNCT points out in the area of tobacco and vaping product sales to minors, controls are insufficient, often one-off and non-recurring. Addictions France also points to a lack of coordination between police services, prosecutors, and prevention stakeholders in this area.

Furthermore, financial penalties are not very dissuasive, especially for large establishments, and this is all the more so since legal proceedings are particularly lengthy.

Addictions France's recommendations and areas for improvement

First, to establish a system of regular, random and institutionalized controls, based on testing visits.

The testing system, which consists of verifying the effective ban on sales involving a minor during a purchase, is the one used internationally to assess the effectiveness of the measure. Strongly criticized by sellers, its relevance has been recognized by the courts on several occasions in the context of litigation relating to the ban on the sale of tobacco products to minors.

In its report, Addictions France highlights the control methods implemented in Switzerland, with monitoring shared between associations, law enforcement, and local authorities. For example, in Switzerland, ID verification was carried out in 65% of cases in 2023, compared to 54% in 2014, showing a positive trend as a result of regular controls. This has helped reduce the illegal sale of alcohol to minors, dropping from 33.7% in 2014 to 27.3% in 2023, with a sharp increase in controls since 2009. This measure seemed crucial in a country where, according to Addiction Switzerland, 8.6% of those aged 15 and over drink alcohol daily.

Generally speaking, experience in implementing the ban on the sale of tobacco products to minors has long established that the measure is entirely applicable and is applied to a very high extent in many countries.[2].

Furthermore, developing test purchasing operations allows us to communicate about the measure and to remind people of its challenges in terms of prevention and the responsibilities incumbent on sellers.

The latter cannot be exempted from the obligation of result of refusing to sell on the grounds that they have installed a machine checking the customer's age. This analysis also supports the recommendations of the CNIL, the latter having just ruled unfavorably against the use of facial recognition cameras at tobacconists, in the name of protecting GDPR laws and individual freedoms.

Next, it is recommended to implement a graduated penalty system based on a percentage of turnover, similar to tax practices, which would make the penalties more dissuasive, particularly for large retailers. For example, for an annual turnover of less than €100,000, the fine would be increased to 2 TP3T of the average annual turnover. For an annual turnover of between €100,000 and €500,000, to 5 TP3T of the average annual turnover. And for an annual turnover above €500,000, to 10 TP3T of the average annual turnover.

Similarly, the use of administrative sanctions would be very significant, with a clear gradation: for the first violation, a formal warning. For a repeat offense, a temporary administrative closure (from a few days to several weeks, not exceeding 2 months). And in the event of a further repeat offense, a suspension or permanent withdrawal of the license pronounced by the prefect or mayor.

In this regard, the lessons of international literature also highlighted the importance of applying dissuasive sanctions.

Finally, defining a clear criminal policy on these issues could help to speed up legal proceedings, reduce summons times and strengthen the weight of sanctions.

The challenges of enforcing protective prohibitions such as the ban on the sale of alcohol to minors, as well as tobacco and vaping products, are linked to major public health issues.

Regarding alcohol, Addictions France points out that 80.6% of 17-year-old adolescents have already drunk alcohol and 7.2% have experienced at least 10 heavy drinking binges in the month preceding the survey, impacting their long-term health and requiring increased action.[3].

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[1]Association Addictions France, Free access to alcohol for teenagers – What levers can be used to take action?, published June 2025, accessed July 15, 2025

[2] Elharrar X., Béguinot E., Gallopel-Morvan K., Ben Lakhdar C., Martinet Y., So that buying tobacco is no longer child's play!, The Practitioner's Review, published February 17, 2020, accessed July 17, 2025

[3]Spilka S. et al., Drugs at 17 years old, regional analyses, ESCAPAD 2022 Survey, OFDT, published in February 2024, consulted on July 17, 2025

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