The association Efterskolerne has sent an open letter to Health Minister Ida Auken, urging the government to raise the age limit for buying all alcohol in shops to 18 years.
DR reported on September 15 that the association, which represents Denmark’s efterskoler, has addressed the letter directly to Auken. Under current rules, young people over 16 can buy drinks with an alcohol content of up to six percent in supermarkets, as noted in the DR report.
Torben Vind Rasmussen, chairman of Efterskolerne, is the sender of the letter. He argues there is a mismatch between the health authorities’ recommendations and the law. According to him, students at the schools say they follow the legislation rather than the recommendations.
The letter states that society sends young people a contradictory signal. Denmark recommends that they do not drink before turning 18, while 16 and 17 year olds can legally buy various alcohol products. The Danish Health Authority, Sundhedsstyrelsen, recommends that children and young people under 18 do not drink alcohol at all.
Figures cited by DR show a different reality. The European drug survey, published last year, found that nearly 7 out of 10 students in 9th grade had drunk alcohol within the previous month. That result placed Denmark at the top of the list in Europe.
Support from a school head
Jacob Kramer, principal of Vejstrup Efterskole on southern Funen, backs the proposal. He said that when Sundhedsstyrelsen has fairly precise recommendations, a law supporting them is a good thing. In his view, it would make life easier for young people, parents and schools alike.
Students at the boarding schools may not drink alcohol while at school. On weekends at home, there are no such restrictions, provided they are over 16 and buy drinks under six percent. The schools form part of the wider system of education in Denmark for teenagers.
Venstre rejects the idea
Christoffer Aagaard, health spokesperson for Venstre, is not in favor of raising the age limit. He said Sundhedsstyrelsen recommends many things that are not banned, because a ban can have drawbacks. He pointed out that the limit for what 15 to 18 year olds can buy was recently lowered to six percent.
Aagaard warned that changing the rules too quickly carries risks. In his account, the party could move to places that cannot be controlled. Young people could also buy other products with a higher alcohol content instead.
DR stated that it was not possible to obtain a comment from Health Minister Ida Auken of the Social Democrats. No government response to the open letter had been published at the time of DR’s report.
