Bernese Grand Council calls for youth protection law

On Monday, the Bernese Grand Council unanimously decided that the Bernese government council must draw up a concept for alcohol and tobacco. This is intended to show how the legal provisions for the protection of minors are enforced. As reported by the SDA news agency, the new regulations are expected to come into force in the canton of Berne on January 1, 2007, which will severely restrict the sale of alcohol and tobacco to young people. To this end, the cantonal government has set out how it intends to implement the legal requirements. As the protection of young people requires many measures, service contracts have been concluded with various organizations.
The Blue Cross, the "Focus on Alcohol Prevention" organization and the Contact Network, which is responsible for cannabis prevention, are involved. The canton also wants to rely on information and control measures by law enforcement agencies, sports associations and major events. Test purchases are also to be carried out throughout the canton; for alcohol and now also for tobacco.