In a move to strengthen youth protection, the leaders of the German Brewers’ Federation and the German Child Protection Association have expressed support for a legislative ban on the consumption of alcohol by minors as young as 14 years old.
Holger Eichele, the federation’s managing director, told the Rheinische Post that the organization endorses a law amendment that would eliminate the current exception for younger individuals and maintain the tried and tested age limit of 16 years.
Daniel Grein, the child protection association’s federal director, echoed similar sentiments, stating that it is commendable to better protect children under the age of 16 from the dangers of alcohol consumption and to adapt the Youth Protection Act accordingly.
The health ministers of the German states have also announced plans to abolish the practice of allowing 14-year-olds to consume alcohol in the company of an adult. During their annual conference in Weimar, the state ministers urged the federal government to amend the Youth Protection Act to reflect this change.