Action call for teenage boozing

EXTRA precautions to tackle the problem of underage drinking in nightclubs, as well as overcrowding and noise reduction are needed, it emerged yesterday after a high-powered meeting at the Justice Ministry.

Minister Sophocles Sophocleous, the Police and Fire Services chiefs, municipality representatives, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Federation of Entertainment and Restaurant Companies were all present, as various issues were discussed.
President of the Entertainment and Restaurant Federation, Neophytos Thrasivoulou, yesterday told the Cyprus Mail that, “every establishment must follow regulations and it is clear that some of these are in need of modernisation. For example, a 16-year-old is allowed entrance into a nightclub but is not allowed to consume alcohol until he or she reaches the age of 17. Clearly, this is not right.”

He went on to say that the government should look into the possibility of setting up special places where under-age children can still enjoy themselves without drinking alcohol.

“The opening of these types of establishments is the way forward as we can’t stop people from enjoying themselves.”

Thrasivoulou also spoke about the need to ensure that people living close to nightclubs are not kept awake by loud music.

“Opening hours were also discussed during the meeting. At the moment, the law states that most places are allowed to stay open between 2.30am and 3.30am but there is no flexibility. It’s obvious that a nightclub in a tourist area should be allowed to stay open later than a cafeteria, provided that they do not disturb local residents.”
He added that many establishments are not following guidelines on capacity, while many do not have adequate fire safety precautions. He urged the police to take a tougher stance.

Justice Minister Sophocleous told us that, “the young are primarily at the centre of my policy on the matter and there must be a strong proposal to ensure that underage children are not allowed into entertainment establishments where alcohol is on offer.”

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.