Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
SPAIN’S Council of Ministers endorsed a bill to curb alcohol consumption by underage children. The law will allow the police to administer breath tests to children at schools and colleges.
Congress must now approve the legislation.
In an effort to reduce alcohol consumption among youth, the law also restricts advertising, sales and public consumption of alcohol.
Monica Garcia, Minister of Health, has proposed a bill that aims to combine existing laws at the national and regional levels.
This will include all adults in schools (except for universities), residences for students that house minors as well as public places for sport, entertainment, and leisure activities when the events are geared specifically towards young audiences.
Self-service shops will be required to place drinks in designated areas, as will establishments that cater to minors.
The age verification mechanism for alcohol vending machines must be similar to the one used on tobacco machines.
The law will also prohibit the unlicensed sale of alcohol in the streets.
The advertising of alcohol will also be banned within 150 metres from schools, healthcare centres, social service centers, and children’s recreational areas.
Also, alcohol advertising on walls or tables in hospitality venues is no longer allowed.
To limit the exposure of consumers, the law prohibits the marketing of products which mimic alcohol beverages such as spirits with zero alcohol, except for non-alcoholic wine and beer.
Monica Garcia argues that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. She also challenges the belief that moderate drinking has health benefits.
She said: “We have to eliminate the deeply-ingrained and unscientific idea that alcohol consumption has some health benefits.”
Garcia also highlighted the fact that although consultations have taken place with representatives from the industry, it is the primary focus of legislation to protect minors and teenagers from alcohol exposure.
