As of: January 25, 2024, 3:30 p.m
By: Andreas Schmid
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The drinking age should rise to 18 years.
This is what the federal government's addiction commissioner demands © Daniel Karmann / dpa
In Germany, young people are allowed to drink alcohol from the age of 14.
“This is unique in Europe,” says drug commissioner Burkhard Blienert in an interview.
He wants to tighten the rules.
Berlin – Germany, land of drinkers.
For many people, an after-work beer is part of it.
Alcohol at parties or with friends is firmly anchored in society, not just among adults.
“Alcohol and its consumption are part of everyday life for us.
The problem is therefore very big and particularly affects very young people,” says the Federal Government’s Addiction and Drug Commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, in an interview with IPPEN.MEDIA.
The SPD politician advocates stricter rules.
Blienert wants a new alcohol limit: “18 years would be reasonable”
The consumption of beer, wine and sparkling wine is permitted in Germany from the age of 16.
Blienert would like to change that.
“It would make sense to have uniform regulations for all addictive substances – i.e. generally set at 18 years.” Blienert himself, as a federal government representative, cannot decide this himself.
“I can’t decide that alone, but that’s also the recommendation that many doctors support.
.”
Burkhard Blienert in an interview with IPPEN.MEDIA in his office.
© Yvonne Reissig
Alcohol from 14: “Accompaniment of drinking must be abolished”
Due to a special rule, young people in Germany are allowed to drink alcohol from the age of 14 - if their parents are present.
“This regulation is unique in Europe,” says Blienert.
“This reflects the anachronistic perception that we don’t have an alcohol problem in Germany.
But we have a big problem with alcohol consumption.
Alcohol is a very strong cell poison.” His demand: “Accompaniment to drinking must be abolished.”
Accompanied drinking is mainly used in bars and restaurants, for example with a glass of red wine for young people with a meal or a champagne for a toast.
The German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) wants to keep the rule.
“A problem is being created that is not a problem at all,” says Thomas Geppert, regional manager of Dehoga Bayern, in an interview with our editorial team: “It’s about a moderate, conscientious use of alcohol.
Beer and wine are also cultural assets for us.”
Geppert says: “If 14-year-olds take a sip of beer in the presence of mom or dad, it’s better than if they do it secretly in the basement.” Blienert thinks: “When children and young people sit next to their parents, that’s it The effect of alcohol is the same.” But the SPD politician knows: “We also need the political will of everyone.
So far, very few people have campaigned for it.”
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For addiction researchers, Germany is considered a high-consumption country, as the CEO of the German Center for Addiction Issues, Norbert Scherbaum, said last year.
“Although alcohol consumption has continued to fall compared to previous years, people in Germany still drink significantly more alcohol than the global average.” In a European comparison, according to the WHO, only Czechs and Latvians drink more pure alcohol.
Union: “Youth Protection Act definitely needs to be put to the test”
The Union has already responded to Blienert's demands.
The family politicians of the CDU/CSU welcome the discussion about a higher age limit for alcohol consumption by young people, said a press release from family policy spokeswoman Silvia Breher: “The Youth Protection Act definitely needs to be put to the test.”
The CDU politician also sees a comparison to cannabis and says: “We at the Union would, however, also very much welcome it that both the drug commissioner and the entire federal government would heed the warnings of the medical profession, especially the German Medical Association, when it comes to the planned legalization of cannabis of pediatricians and adolescent doctors, would take it seriously and stop the project completely.”
In a detailed interview with IPPEN.MEDIA, Burkhard Blienert spoke not only about alcohol, but also about tobacco, medication, gambling addiction and cannabis.
He can understand the criticism of the law, especially when it comes to the protection of minors.
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