THE chairman of the Commission for Youth, Mr Eric Li Ka-cheung, is to ask the Judiciary to impose tougher penalties on bars and restaurants caught operating without a licence and serving alcohol to minors.
The decision to ask for stiffer punishment followed a meeting between the chairman and representatives from the departments of Health and Welfare, Security, Education and Manpower, and Recreation and Culture, as well as the City and New Territories Administration.
The meeting was called to address growing concern over the problem of abuse of alcohol by young people.
''I am going to write to the Judiciary asking them to consider more appropriate sentences,'' said Mr Li.
But the meeting fell short of agreeing to call for a change in legislation to make it illegal for shops to sell alcohol to minors.
''There are not a lot of cases prosecuted and the courts are not handing out jail sentences. Sentencing is not reflecting the rising public concern,'' said Mr Li.
