Health Minister Issues Ban on Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Simultaneously
Revamped Article:
Eager to combat a growing issue, state health ministers are jostling for a legal prohibition of minors aged 14 and up from partaking in so-called "accompanied drinking." Alcohol, a prevalent substance, poses a substantial risk to young people, asserted Thuringia's health minister, Katharina Schenk (SPD), at a concluding meet with her colleagues in Weimar. Merely preaching about responsible usage won't cut it. The state health ministers are rallying behind a motion from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, aiming to revise the youth protection law accordingly. In Germany, young people as young as 16 can purchase and tipple beer, wine, and sparkling wine. However, this is already permitted from the age of 14 in the presence of an adult with parental responsibility – even in public establishments or out and about. The ministers wish to scrap the relevant provision in the 1952 youth protection law.
Federal Health Minister Backs State Ministers' Proposal
Federally, Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) backs the state ministers' initiative: "I find the state ministers' move right now to be commendable." She's in talks with the federal family minister, Karin Prien (CDU), regarding youth protection matters - including media consumption, drug use, and booze - apart from alcohol alone.
Last year, the health ministers' conference already recommended a ban on the so-called accompanied drinking for young people. Alcohol carries significant health hazards for the young, especially minors, as their organs, and notably the brain, are still developing.
Unpacking the Law
Germany's Protection of Young Persons Act (Jugendschutzgesetz, JuSchG) outlines strict rules for minors' consumption of alcohol:
- Minors under 16: They can't drink in public, but in a parent's or legal guardian's presence, they can down beer, wine, or wine-based beverages (like sparkling wine), but not spirits (hard liquor).
- Minors aged 16 to 17: They can knock back beer, wine, or wine-based beverages without parental supervision, but spirits are still a no-go.
- Enforcement: It's the adults, not the minors, who suffer penalties if they allow violations or fail to supervise. Licensed premises such as bars, festivals, or restaurants can face hefty fines if they don't comply.
Exploring the Proposed Changes
As of February 2025, no substantial legislative updates have been made regarding the accompanied drinking regulations for minors younger than 16 or the alcohol consumption rules for those aged 16–17, according to the Nanny State Index and current legislative updates. However, broader European and German trends indicate ongoing conversations about tightening youth protection, like potential new restrictions on energy drinks for under 18s. Although there's substantial debate within the public health community, as of spring 2025, no formal proposal has been made to alter the existing provisions on accompanied drinking or to shift the age thresholds for alcohol consumption.
Snap Shot
| Age Group | Legal Consumption Status (Alcohol Type) | Accompanied? | Public vs. Private ||------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------|---------------------|| < 16 | Beer/wine only (no spirits) | Yes (parent) | Private/not public || ≥16 & <18 | Beer/wine only (no spirits) | No | Yes, allowed || < 18 | Spirits (hard liquor) | No | Prohibited |
The Bottom Line:Presently, there are no recent or proposed changes to the accompanied drinking rules for minors aged 14 and above in Germany. The current law allows minors under 16 to imbibe beer or wine beneath a parent's watch in private or closely supervised private settings, yet public consumption remains prohibited. Spirits are always off-limits for anyone under 18. Ongoing discussions revolve around tightening youth protection measures, but these conversations typically focus on other products like energy drinks rather than altering alcohol regulations for minors.
In the ongoing discourse on youth protection, Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) has expressed support for the state ministers' initiative to ban accompanied drinking for minors aged 14 and above. Addressing mental-health and health-and-wellness concerns, Thuringia's health minister, Katharina Schenk (SPD), emphasized that alcohol carries significant health hazards, particularly for developing bodies and brains, which is a key issue in the science community.
