Adherence to Underage Alcohol Sales Regulations in the Republic of Cyprus: Evidence from Repeated Cross-Sectional Mystery Shopping Study.

Abstract

Aims: To examine the level of vendor compliance with age-verification legislation governing alcohol sales in Cyprus across two repeated cross-sectional mystery shopping studies conducted in 2015 and 2024, and to identify factors influencing the likelihood of selling alcoholic beverages to underage-appearing individuals. Methods: In 2015, 200 purchase attempts were conducted across six venue types using paired student mystery shoppers. In 2024, 200 visits were conducted by individual mystery shoppers in comparable venue types, excluding nightclubs. In both studies, vendor responses were coded as: no age verification, verbal confirmation, or ID request. Descriptive statistics were computed, and logistic regression assessed venue and seller characteristics associated with vendor compliance. Results: In 2015, 94.5% of vendors sold alcohol without any verification, verbal confirmation was requested in 4.0%, and only 1.5% requested ID. Logistic regression showed that age verification was more likely with male buyers. In 2024, non-compliance remained high (85.5%), with verbal confirmation requested in 13.5% of visits, and ID requests at just 1%. Regression analyses showed higher compliance in bars than in kiosks, and female mystery shoppers were more often asked for age confirmation. Few vendors reported receiving training or legislative updates, with 22% recalling any regulatory updates and just 15% stating they had ever been formally informed about alcohol sales regulations. Compliance rates remain well below those reported in Northern and Western Europe, where structured inspection and vendor training are routine. Conclusions; Vendor compliance with age-verification laws in Cyprus remains persistently low. The findings highlight the need for systematic compliance monitoring, vendor education, and stronger enforcement policies, contributing to the broader European discussion on effective alcohol-control implementation.