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German Youth Binge Drinking on the Rise

A study reveals a concerning rise in binge drinking among German youth, reversing a pandemic-related dip and prompting calls for stricter alcohol laws.

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Polish

Germany

HealthGermany PolicyYouthAlcoholStudy

Federal Centre For Health Education (Bzga)Spd

Johannes NießenBurkhard Blienert

What policy change has been proposed in response to these findings?: Burkhard Blienert, the federal government's drug commissioner, has called for a strict ban on alcohol consumption until the age of 16, ending the practice of allowing alcohol consumption with adults from the age of 14.
What is the average age of first alcohol consumption, and what concerns does this raise?: The average age for first alcohol consumption was 15.1 years, below the legal purchase age of 16 in Germany. This early exposure, combined with the rise in binge drinking, raises serious health concerns, especially given the ongoing development of adolescent brains.
What is the main finding of the study regarding alcohol consumption among young people in Germany?: The study shows a significant rise in binge drinking among 12-25 year olds in Germany after a temporary decrease during the coronavirus pandemic, returning to pre-pandemic levels.
What percentage of young men and women aged 18-25 reported binge drinking in 2023, and how does this compare to 2021?: In 2023, 46.2% of young men (18-25) and 25.1% of young women (18-25) reported binge drinking, compared to 37.8% and 19% respectively in 2021. Similar increases were observed among younger age groups.
What is the current state of overall alcohol consumption among young people in Germany, and how does it compare to previous years?: While overall regular alcohol consumption among youth has decreased compared to 20 years ago, it has plateaued in recent years. In 2023, 65.1% of boys and 60.8% of girls (12-17) reported drinking alcohol at least once, while this was over 90% in the 18-25 age group.

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