In Uruguay, clubs offer free entry to sober youngsters

An initiative in Uruguay will test young clubbers upon arrival and reward them with free entry if their alcohol level is at 0.0.

We have seen clubs using breathalyzers on departing customers, to help prevent drink driving, but now a new initiative in Uruguay will test young clubbers upon arrival and reward them with free entry if their alcohol level is at 0.0.

The Ministry of Public Health introduced the scheme in order to combat drunkenness and alcohol poisoning in youngsters, which have become escalating problems in the country — especially in the summer when kids often drink on the local beaches before a night out to save money. The scheme will discourage them from drinking in excess by rewarding them for their restraint. Participating clubs will benefit too, since the youngsters will buy more beverages in the club while, hopefully, still consuming less overall.

Could this scheme work in other countries with big daytime drinking cultures?