Could Germany potentialize an increase in the legal drinking age for beer and wine?
The German government is currently considering a proposal to raise the minimum age for purchasing beer and wine from 16 to 18 as part of new measures to reduce youth alcohol consumption. This initiative, which aims to align the legal age for all alcoholic beverages at 18, is under active discussion within the coalition government, involving the CDU/CSU and SPD parties, and is expected to be debated after the parliamentary summer break in autumn 2025.
Key points about the proposal's status and context:
- SPD health spokesperson Christos Pantazis has formally proposed the increase, emphasizing it should be part of a broader, evidence-based prevention strategy centered on education and strengthening protections for young people.
- CDU health policy spokesperson Simone Borchardt acknowledges the appeal of a full prohibition until 18 but urges careful consideration about practical implementation and enforcement challenges.
- The government is also considering banning "supervised drinking," where minors consume alcohol under parental supervision, currently allowed from age 14 to 16.
- The debates reflect concerns about the high level of youth alcohol consumption and its health risks, with policymakers calling for clear, binding regulations rather than sole reliance on family education.
Christos Pantazis, health policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, stated that alcohol consumption among young people is problematic from a medical perspective. He emphasized the need for education about the risks and consequences of alcohol consumption, better protective mechanisms, and clear restrictions on access.
Simone Borchardt, health policy spokesperson for the conservative Union parliamentary group (CDU), stated that a general ban on all alcoholic beverages until the age of 18 has "appeal." However, she did not specify whether she supports raising the minimum age for purchasing beer, wine, and sparkling wine from 16 to 18. Instead, she emphasized the need for a careful consideration of the practical effects of such a measure.
Pantazis' comments were made in the Rheinische Post on Monday, while Borchardt's comments were made to a newspaper, but the specific publication was not mentioned. No prior context was provided for either comment.
In summary, the proposal to raise the drinking age for beer and wine to 18 is not yet law but is an active government policy initiative planned for parliamentary consideration later in 2025. The debates surrounding this proposal highlight the ongoing concerns about youth alcohol consumption and the need for comprehensive, evidence-based solutions.
- Recognizing the health risks associated with youth alcohol consumption, Christos Pantazis, health policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, advocated for education about the risks and consequences of alcohol consumption, better protective mechanisms, and clear restrictions on access.
- Simone Borchardt, health policy spokesperson for the conservative Union parliamentary group (CDU), acknowledged the appeal of a full prohibition until 18 but expressed concerns about the practical implementation and enforcement challenges, without explicitly stating her support for raising the minimum age for purchasing beer, wine, and sparkling wine from 16 to 18.
