The environmental prevention project 'Responsible Sale of Alcohol and Tobacco - Support for sellers in the municipality of Sintra'

The environmental prevention project 'Responsible Sale of Alcohol and Tobacco - Support for sellers in the municipality of Sintra' emerged from the observation that youths, under 18, are able to buy alcohol/tobacco frequently. Mostly in the proximity of schools. These observations led to the need to intervene with alcohol/tobacco sellers, in order to prevent behaviours that are prohibited by law, but still occur. It involves a set of partners committed with prevention (health services, security forces, business area and municipality of Sintra).

The objectives aime to promote the responsible selling and decrease the likelihood of selling alcohol/tobacco to under 18.

A proximity based approach was used including: 1) visits to the shops next to schools, with a briefing and flyer distribution, 2) inquiring about the knowledge of the law, 3) verification of the correct affixing of labels required by law, 4) asking the frequency of the buyers' age verification, 5) promoting training actions for sellers.

The majority of sellers demonstrated knowledge of the law, nevertheless about 15% ignored it. There were problems of visibility and updating in the affixing of the law signs. Most sellers stated that they used visual verification rather than asking for identity document to know the buyers' age.

Four training actions for sellers were organized.

This project shows the value of involving sellers as agents of prevention, acting as an accessibility barrier to risky behaviours. The recognition of the relevance of the project is evidenced by the integration of a new partner in 2021, the Public Health Unit of Sintra Primary Health Care, and by the introduction of responsible selling modules in Professional Courses related to Tourism, Hotel Management and Occupational Health and Safety at Work. The opportunity to involve youths in the concept of responsible selling is created.