Germany plans to ban alcohol for 14 and 15-year-olds

Germany's federal government has agreed to end the practice of "supervised drinking," which currently allows 14 and 15-year-olds to drink wine and beer while being overseen by a responsible adult, reported dpa.

Meeting in Berlin on Wednesday, the German Cabinet backed a proposal put forward by Family Minister Karin Prien ending the practice. It will now be debated by the German lower house of parliament, or Bundestag.

"The exemption in the Youth Protection Act, which permits 14 and 15-year-olds to consume or purchase alcoholic drinks when accompanied by a person with parental responsibility, is to be abolished," the Cabinet draft on the reform of child and youth welfare stated.

This exemption, it continued, undermines "the protection of young people from the significant health and social consequences of alcohol consumption and is therefore at odds with the federal government's objectives regarding improved addiction prevention."

In principle, an age limit of 16 already applies to the public consumption and sale of beer, wine, sparkling wine or mixed drinks made from these. The exception to date has been where "young people are accompanied by a person with parental responsibility," as stated in Section 9 of the Youth Protection Act.

Other alcoholic beverages, such as spirits, may currently - and will continue to - be sold only to and consumed by adults.

Germany's state health ministers spoke out in favour of a ban last year, due to the risks of addiction. Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck is also in favour of the ban.