End of the accompanied drinking: Minister of Health request reform!

End of the accompanied drinking: Minister of Health request reform!

Weimar, Thüringen, Deutschland - The changes in the Youth Protection Act were last discussed at an annual meeting of the Health Minister in Weimar, Thuringia. Led by the chairman of the Health Ministers' Conference, Katharina Schenk (SPD), the heads of state call for a legal ban on accompanied drinking for young people aged 14 and over. Currently, accompanied by their parents in public, young people are allowed to consume beer and wine, which is considered problematic by many. [RP Online] (https://rp-online.de/politik/ alcohol-bierbrauer-prache-fuer-fuer-des-defrinkens-aus_aid-129248491) reports on the support of Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) for this advance.

The core message of the ministers: Alcohol is a significant problem for children and adolescents. With 6.9 % of the female and 12.4 % of the male 12 to 17 year olds who drink at least once a week, alarm bells are not only in the ministries, but also among the population. An early entry into consumption, often at the age of 14 or earlier, not only harbors health risks, but also the risk of increased dependency. [Tagesschau] (https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/-Al alcohol consumption-minderjaehrige-gesundheit-100.html) emphasizes that Appeals alone are not sufficient to reduce abuse.

an appeal to the legislator

The Initiative for this change in the law comes from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, after the Health Ministers' Conference had already given a clear announcement for a ban on accompanying drinking last year. Both State Secretary Sylvia Grimm and Nina Warken actively campaign for a reform. The applicable regulation, which allows young people aged 16 and over allow the purchase of beer, wine and sparkling wine, as well as drinking from the age of 14, should be fundamentally revised. [Specialist lawyer] (https://www.fachlanwalt.de/magazin/jugendschutz/Al alcohol-und-tivakconsum) explains that the youth protection law of 1952 plays a central role in this. The goal is and remains the protection of the health of children and adolescents.

alcohol not only has short -term dangers such as impairments of judgment and coordination disorders, but also leads to health problems such as organ damage and an increased risk of dependencies. These health consequences must also be seen in the context of social drinking behavior in Germany, where alcohol is often downplayed.

The role of parents and education

parents and legal guardians play a crucial role, not only when their children are informed about the dangers of alcohol, but also as role models. Open communication and early clarification are necessary to adequately discuss the sensitive issues of youth protection and consumption behavior. Under certain circumstances, prevention programs in schools and information events could also help to familiarize young people more consciously with the risks of alcohol consumption.

For many, it is a call for active participation in the dialogue about dealing with alcohol. The Minister of Health show that the topic is taken seriously and that change is asked. So that the next generations can find a better basis for dealing with alcohol, there is still a lot to do.