Ohio Investigative Unit Warns Vendors to Obey Liquor Laws

The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) and the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control (DLC) have teamed up to remind liquor permit holders to help keep this holiday season safe.

“Ohio retail businesses that sell alcohol must be extra vigilant during this holiday season and practice safe and responsible sales,” said DLC Superintendent Bruce Stevenson.

Tips and reminders to make this holiday season safe include:

• Always check for proper identification to ensure no alcohol is sold or furnished to anyone under the age of 21.  Use tools such as ID scanners and ID checking guide booklets.
• Never sell to anyone who is intoxicated.
• Never give away any alcohol or sell below your cost.
• Do not furnish two or more servings of alcohol when only one is ordered, and do not sell an unlimited number of servings during a set time for a fixed price.
• Only purchase alcoholic beverages from an authorized source:
  • Beer, Wine & Mixed Beverages:
    • Purchase only from a licensed wholesale distributor authorized to sell to your location.
    • Do not purchase from another retail permit holder.
  • Spirituous Liquor:
    • Purchase only from your assigned Contract Liquor Agency store.
    • Do not purchase from another retail permit holder.
• Know what types of alcohol beverages your permit allows you to sell and during what hours you are authorized to sell them.
• Only sell alcohol on Sundays if your permit authorizes it and only beginning at the authorized time.  Also, know what types of products you can sell on Sundays.

“It’s the extra steps permit holders can take to ensure that their patrons and customers are safe, while on the permit grounds and after they leave,” said OIU Enforcement Commander Eric Wolf. “By offering alternative rides home, not selling to intoxicated or underage individuals, refraining from promoting excessive drinking, or stepping in if someone’s drink has been compromised or if staff feels as though a patron’s safety is at risk, permit holders can also contribute to a safer Ohio.”

OIU offers a free training program for liquor permit establishments to learn more on laws pertaining to the sale and/or consumption of alcohol and tobacco, false identification, employment of minors, penalties for those found in violation, and other topics as requested. The Alcohol Server Knowledge (ASK) program is designed for liquor permit holders and their employees, and is provided free of charge. For more on the ASK program, please log onto http://www.investigativeunit.ohio.gov/ask.stm.

The DLC promotes awareness and prevention through a variety of educational materials including its “Safe Alcohol Sales” on its website at www.com.state.oh.us/liqr.