Drug policy - Alcohol only from 18? Health Minister demands debate
Lower Saxony's Health Minister Andreas Philippi is advocating for the approval of alcohol consumption starting at 18 years old. "From a preventive and health political perspective, alcohol should be made available like cannabis only starting at 18 years old," said the SPD politician.
He is aware that this will spark a societal debate, for instance regarding traditions such as shooting festivals. However, the negative consequences of underage alcohol consumption are clear and should be discussed. "One can also come to other results than allowing alcohol consumption at 18 years old. But the debate needs to take place."
The Bund is supporting plans to ban "accompanied drinking."
Furthermore, Philippi expressed his support for giving more weight to anti-Drug politics. "Above all, we need to arm ourselves better for the fight against synthetic drugs that are increasingly pushing their way onto the European market," said the Minister. The effects of these drugs, including Ecstasy, Speed, and Laughing Gas, are severe, unpredictable, and often trigger psychosis.
Lower Saxony is advocating for the prohibition of "accompanied drinking" at 14 years old and the sale of Laughing Gas to those under 18 in the Bundesrat. Bundesgesundheitsminister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) supports both initiatives.
Currently, adolescents can drink beer, wine, and sparkling wine at 14 years old, for example, if their parents are present. At 16 years old, they can buy and drink these beverages alone. All other alcoholic beverages are only approved for consumption starting at 18 years old.
- Andreas Philippi, the Health Minister of Lower Saxony and a member of the SDP, has expressed his interest in aligning Germany's drug policy with its alcohol policy, suggesting that both alcohol and cannabis should be made available at the age of 18.
- The societal implications of this proposal, including its potential impact on traditional events like shooting festivals, are not lost on Philippi, who acknowledges that a broader discussion on the matter is necessary.
- In light of the negative health consequences associated with underage alcohol consumption, such as addiction and impaired cognitive development, Philippi believes that it's important to reassess the drinking age and consider raising it to 18.
- Besides advocating for a revised alcohol policy, Philippi also supports a stronger focus on anti-Drug policies, particularly as synthetic drugs like Ecstasy, Speed, and Laughing Gas continue to gain traction in Europe and present significant health risks.
- In the Bundesrat, Lower Saxony is pushing for stricter regulations, including the prohibition of "accompanied drinking" at 14 years old and the restriction of Laughing Gas sales to those under 18, both of which have received the backing of Bundesgesundheitsminister Karl Lauterbach, another SDP politician.
