14 to 16-year-olds in Germany are permitted to drink alcohol while supervised by adults, but a Berlin politician is advocating for the law to be scrapped across the country.

Could Germany scrap supervised drinking law for teenagers?

Health Senator for Berlin Ina Czyborra (SPD) is pushing for Germany to ban “supervised drinking” for 14 to 16-year-olds. The proposition has been supported by health ministers in Germany’s 15 other federal states and Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD).

“The presence of adults doesn’t change the way that alcohol is harmful to children,” Lauterbach told broadcaster RND. “From a healthcare policy perspective there cannot be two opinions on this topic,” the minister added.

At the moment, young people between the ages of 14 and 16 are permitted to drink when supervised by adults. Anyone over 16 can legally buy and drink beer, wine and sparkling wine in Germany. From 18 years old, they can also purchase spirits, mixed drinks and alcopops.

At a conference in June, the country’s 16 health ministers decided that experts should review Germany’s current youth protection law (Jugendschutzgesetz) in November.

Germany considered a “high consumption” country for alcohol

While non-alcoholic beverages are rising in popularity, Germany is still considered a “high consumption” country compared to its European neighbours. 

According to Federal Drugs Commissioner Burkhard Blienert (SPD), the annual average pure alcohol consumption in Germany is 10 litres per person. 8 million people in Germany are considered to drink a risky amount of alcohol and between 1,6 and 1,8 million are considered alcoholics.

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