Health Minister Judith Gerlach of the Christian Social Union announced that the Bavarian cabinet would submit a formal proposal to the Bundesrat on Friday to ban supervised drinking among under-16s. The initiative has received support from the Green Party, although they are calling for broader action.
Gerlach Emphasizes Youth Protection Over Tradition
Judith Gerlach described the existing legal provision as outdated and harmful. Under current German law, minors aged 14 and 15 may legally consume certain alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, or wine-based mixed drinks if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Gerlach criticized this allowance, stating: “The health risks associated with early alcohol consumption are enormous. Furthermore, supervised drinking undermines the development of a healthy relationship with alcohol. I consider this legal exception completely outdated.”
She stressed that the time had come to send a clear message prioritizing youth and health protection over permissive drinking norms.
Proposal Calls for National Law Change
Bavaria’s proposal calls for an amendment to Germany’s Youth Protection Act that would prohibit supervised alcohol consumption for minors under the age of 16 nationwide. The goal is to force the federal government to revise the current law and ban both the sale and consumption of alcohol for this age group, even in the presence of adults.
Support from Health Ministers’ Conference
The initiative aligns with previous positions taken at the national level. More than a year ago, Germany’s Conference of Health Ministers had already called for the abolition of the supervised drinking exception, citing serious health consequences linked to early alcohol use. This position was reaffirmed in recent weeks.
Gerlach expressed confidence in gaining broad political support for the motion: “I very much hope this initiative will succeed. It is long overdue that we create legal clarity on this matter.” She noted that the debate over supervised drinking was not new, and that it was now time for decisive action.
Greens Call for Comprehensive Youth Protection Measures
The Green Party in the Bavarian state parliament welcomed the proposal. Andreas Hanna-Krahl, the party’s spokesperson for health policy, called it an important step toward stronger protections for young people. He pointed to research showing that delaying alcohol use significantly reduces the risk of dependency and long-term health damage.
However, Hanna-Krahl argued that banning supervised drinking alone was not enough. He called for a broader package of reforms: “In addition to legal changes, we need stricter age verification measures, tighter advertising regulations, and targeted prevention programs for young people.” Only a comprehensive approach, he said, could meaningfully reduce underage drinking and better protect adolescents.
SPD Emphasizes Educational Approach Over Bans
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), by contrast, voiced skepticism. Ruth Waldmann, the SPD’s spokesperson for health policy in the Bavarian parliament, warned against focusing solely on prohibition. She argued that alcohol remains deeply rooted in German social customs, from private gatherings to public celebrations.
“Alcohol is a cultural substance,” said Waldmann, “and young people regularly encounter it in everyday life.” Rather than a blanket ban, she advocated for model projects that would help teenagers learn to handle alcohol responsibly under educational supervision.
“A ban alone is not enough,” Waldmann continued. “Young people need to learn to recognize their own limits, resist peer pressure, and find alternatives to drinking. These skills do not develop automatically.” She argued that any legal change should be paired with educational strategies that help young people build lasting resilience.
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