Germany to rethink Alcohol laws for Teens: What could change?

In a bold move to address underage drinking and improve public health education, Germany’s Federal Government Drug and Addiction Commissioner, Hendrik Streeck, has called for tougher alcohol regulations targeting minors and proposed the introduction of a dedicated health subject in schools.

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Stricter Alcohol Regulations for Minors

Currently, German law permits supervised drinking for youths as young as 14, allowing them to consume beer, wine, and sparkling wine in public places when accompanied by a parent or guardian. At 16, they may purchase these alcoholic beverages independently. However, Streeck, a member of the CDU party, argues that this practice is harmful to children and young people.

“Supervised drinking for those over 14 must be abolished,” Streeck stated in an interview with the Ippen Media Group. He emphasized that this change is essential for protecting minors from early exposure to alcohol, which can have long-lasting health and social consequences.

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Advocating for a Cultural Shift on Alcohol Consumption

Beyond legal changes, Streeck calls for a broad cultural shift around alcohol in Germany. He suggests practical measures to reduce easy access to alcohol, such as removing alcoholic drinks from supermarket checkout aisles, known locally as the “Quengelgasse”, and limiting alcohol sales at gas stations.

While studies show a decline in alcohol consumption among young people, Streeck stresses that education remains crucial. “We want to educate more about the dangers and make access to alcohol more difficult,” he said.

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Introducing “Health” as a New School Subject

One of Streeck’s innovative proposals is the introduction of a comprehensive health subject in schools. This curriculum would go beyond alcohol education to include lessons on general health, basic life-saving skills like CPR, and practical knowledge such as managing fevers.

“A health subject in schools would help enormously with prevention overall and increase children's health literacy,” Streeck noted, highlighting the need to move beyond traditional poster campaigns and information brochures.

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