Germany plans to tighten rules on youth alcohol consumption
The German federal government has decided to amend the country's alcohol legislation. The goal is to end so-called supervised drinking, which has until now allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to consume certain alcoholic beverages, such as wine or beer, in the company of their parents.
Under the new plan, the minimum age for alcohol consumption will be raised. The German government wants to protect young people from the harms of alcohol and reduce early alcohol use. The change is part of a broader discussion on youth health and safety in Europe.
In Finland, alcohol legislation is already significantly stricter than in Germany. According to Finnish law, the purchase and possession of alcohol are prohibited for those under 18. Germany's decision brings the country's practices closer to the line taken by other European countries, such as Finland.
The German government is expected to move the legislative change forward in the near future. Experts believe that stricter rules could reduce youth alcohol problems in the long term. The reform has sparked a wide-ranging debate on how youth alcohol consumption should best be restricted.