End of accompanied drinking: Health ministers call for reform!

End of accompanied drinking: Health ministers call for reform!

The changes to the Youth Protection Act were last discussed at an annual meeting of health ministers in Weimar, Thuringia. Led by the chairwoman of the Conference of Health Ministers, Katharina Schenk (SPD), the country leaders are calling for a legal ban on accompanied drinking for young people aged 14 and over. Young people are currently allowed to consume beer and wine in public when accompanied by their parents, which is viewed by many as problematic. [RP Online].

The key message from the ministers: Alcohol is a significant problem for children and young people. With 6.9% of female and 12.4% of male 12 to 17 year olds drinking at least once a week, the alarm bells are ringing not only in the ministries, but also in the population. Starting consumption early, often at the age of 14 or earlier, not only poses health risks, but also the risk of increased dependency. Tagesschau emphasizes that appeals alone are not enough to reduce abuse.

An appeal to the legislature

The initiative for this change in the law comes from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania after the Conference of Health Ministers made a clear announcement last year in favor of a ban on accompanied drinking. Both State Secretary Sylvia Grimm and Nina Warken are actively campaigning for reform. The current regulation, which allows young people aged 16 and over to purchase beer, wine and sparkling wine, as well as accompanied drinking from the age of 14, is to be fundamentally revised. Fachanwalt explains that the Youth Protection Act of 1952 plays a central role in this. The aim is and remains the protection of the health of children and young people.

Alcohol not only poses short-term risks such as impaired judgment and coordination problems, but also leads to long-term health problems such as organ damage and an increased risk of addiction. These health consequences must also be seen in the context of social drinking behavior in Germany, where alcohol is often trivialized.

The role of parents and education

Parents and guardians play a crucial role, not only in educating their children about the dangers of alcohol, but also as role models. Open communication and early education are necessary in order to adequately discuss the sensitive topics of youth protection and consumer behavior. Under certain circumstances, prevention programs in schools and information events could also help to make young people more aware of the risks of alcohol consumption.

For many, it is a call for active participation in the dialogue about dealing with alcohol. The health ministers show that the issue is being taken seriously and that change is needed. There is still a lot to be done so that the next generations can find a better basis for dealing with alcohol.