German doctors call for spirits to be sold only in specialist shops
PRODUKTION - Leere und halbleere Gläser mit alkoholischen Getränken stehen in einer Bar auf einem Tresen. Suchtforscher setzen sich für strengere Regeln und höhere Preise beim Verkauf von Alkohol ein. Wie aus dem aktuellen Jahresbericht der Deutschen Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS) hervorgeht, hat Deutschland eine der am wenigsten restriktiven Alkoholgesetzgebungen in Europa und nach wie vor einen überdurchschnittlich hohen Konsum. (zu dpa: «Suchtexperten fordern strengere Regeln für Alkohol») Foto: Robert Michael/dpa
“The sale of drinks with a high alcohol percentage should take place only in licensed specialist sales points,” the association said during its annual meeting in Hanover.
Supermarkets, filling stations and kiosks should no longer be allowed to sell strong drink, it said.
The association justified its calls by noting that the consumption of alcohol represented one of the largest avoidable health risks in Germany. Young people needed better protection, it said.
Consumption patterns established at a young age had been shown to increase the risk of later dependence, along with health and social consequences, it said.
The association also said it was backing government plans to abolish so-called “accompanied drinking” – a provision in German law that allows young people from the age of 14 to drink beer and wine in public when accompanied by their parents.
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