Washington State Liquor Control Board Liquor Enforcement Officers, working with minor operatives, conducted liquor compliance checks at 467 locations in January 2007. The statewide compliance average for the month was 83.1 percent. The average liquor compliance rate for the previous 12 months was 84.3 percent.

This year, the Liquor Control Board has continued to increase the number of compliance checks it carries out and has begun to focus more on identifying and checking problem licensees, said Pat Parmer, Chief of Enforcement and Education. Over time, more frequent and targeted compliance checks will result in a higher statewide compliance rate.

Compliance checks were conducted at 5 state liquor stores during January. No sale was recorded. During a compliance check, a Liquor Enforcement Officer accompanies a minor operative to a business. The officer observes the operative attempt to purchase alcohol. If a sale occurs, the clerk and the business are both cited.

If Investigative Aides are asked for their identification, they must present a driver’s license or other picture I.D. bearing their true age. If asked whether they are 21, they can answer evasively. A sale to a minor is a gross misdemeanor for the sale of alcohol to an underage person punishable up to 1 year in jail and or $5,000.00 fine.  A misdemeanor is 90 days or $1000.00. Store owners whose employees are caught selling to minors also receive an Administrative Violation Notice, which can carry a fine and suspension.

Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Officers conducted 182 compliance checks in January, achieving a 91% statewide compliance rate. Compliance checks are conducted to make sure businesses do not sell cigarettes or other tobacco products to individuals who are below the age of 18.

The average tobacco compliance rate for the previous 12 months was 92.5 percent. Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement officers visit businesses licensed to sell tobacco with a minor operative and observe the operatives attempt to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products. If a sale occurs, both the clerk and the business are cited.

The Liquor Control Board continues to emphasize frequent tobacco compliance checks as an effective way to prevent the sale of tobacco products to those under 18.