New laws cracking down on underage drinking will come into effect today.

The new policy makes it mandatory for bars, clubs and other licensed premises to ask for proof of age from any customers they suspect are under the age of 18.

The ‘No Alcohol under 18 — We Card’ campaign means that patrons, if asked, will have to present photo ID when buying alcohol at any licensed premises, such as a bar, restaurant, grocery store, nightclub or anywhere where alcohol is served.

Yesterday Premier and National Security Minister Michael Dunkley, said: “The overarching aim of the Liquor License Amendment Act 2014 is to add to the safeguards required to prevent underage drinking.

“Underage drinking and its associated problems have profound negative consequences for minors, their families, their communities, and the society as a whole. I wish to thank CADA and the owners and operators of licensed premises in Bermuda for their desire to work with the Government on the We Card initiative and the implementation of the law on Wednesday, October 1, 2014.”

The law, which was passed in the House of Assembly in July. does “four main things” according to a Government spokesman.

“It sets out a definition of minor, that is to say, a person who is under the age of eighteen years, it requires certain licensees to demand ID of persons thought to be minors before the sale or supply of alcohol, it requires bars and nightclubs to demand ID on entry, and it requires those establishments holding licenses other than nightclub licenses that offer music etc until 3am to ensure that they demand ID after 11pm from persons who appear to be minors.

“Additionally, the Amendment Act creates offences for the breach of these new requirements. This Amendment Act will compliment efforts by organisations like CADA, the DNDC and PRIDE, providing the enforcement safety net also required as part of reversing any trend towards alcohol abuse in the community.

“The Ministry of National Security continues its undertaking of collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The public will recall that in the summer of 2013, the Minister for National Security convened a meeting of the owners and operators of liquor licensed premises in Bermuda. The matter of mandatory ID checks was an item discussed and identified as a priority.

“Mandatory ID checks at licensed premises also fulfil one of the recommendations of the Framework for Alcohol Policy produced by the Department for National Drug Control.”