Stronger Alcohol Banned for 16-17 Year Olds as Part of Government Prevention Plan
From April 1, 2025, Denmark will implement a higher legal age limit for alcohol sales. The alcohol policy improvement is part of a nationwide prevention initiative, reports SIK.
Under the new regulation, people aged 16 to 17 will still be permitted to purchase beverages with an alcohol content between 1.2% and 6%, such as regular beer. However, alcohol products exceeding 6% alcohol strength will be available to people aged 18 and over.
The measure to slightly increase the legal minimum age limit is designed to prevent alcohol harm among young people and safeguard public health.
Proper Enforcement of Age Limits at Alcohol Points of Sale
To ensure compliance, all physical and online retailers are obliged and had time until April 1, 2025 to update their signage.
The Danish Safety Agency will oversee enforcement, ensuring that stores and web shops adhere to the updated legal requirements. As per SIK reporting, Stine Pedersen of the National Board of Safety explained the approach:
“We will continue to monitor compliance with the rules. But we also want to do what we can to guide and inform the industry, parents, and young people”.
Stine Pedersen, office manager, National Board of Safety
Retailers bear full responsibility for adhering to the updated regulations, and violations could result in substantial fines.
The decision to raise the legal age for higher-alcohol content products was announced in 2022 as part of the Danish government’s commitment to improving youth health. The delay in implementation allowed time for stakeholders to adjust, but the urgency of addressing alcohol harm among young people remains a key driver behind the policy improvement.
Growing Concerns About Alcohol Harm in Denmark
Denmark is facing increasing concerns over alcohol harm among young people. Research has shown that Danish youth have some of the highest levels of alcohol use in Europe, which has led to widespread public health concerns.
According to 2020 data that Movendi International reported about, young people in Denmark are at increasing risk of alcohol harm due to widespread alcohol availability and social norms promoting alcohol use.
For example:
- Over half of Danish males aged 15-24 engage in binge alcohol use.
- 15.9% of youth aged 15-19 die prematurely due to alcohol-related causes.
- 23.3% of youth aged 20-24 die prematurely due to alcohol-related causes.
- Alcohol use is a significant factor in accidents and violence among youth
Proven Strategies to Prevent Alcohol and Tobacco Harm
Denmark’s new regulations align with global evidence and international standards supporting higher alcohol age limits. Studies have previously reported that raising the legal purchase age and limiting alcohol availability are effective alcohol policy solutions for protecting children and youth from alcohol harm.
Studies from the Baltic countries and Poland between 2001 and 2020 found that comprehensive alcohol regulations led to a decline in alcohol-attributable deaths among men aged 20 and older.
Denmark’s decision to slightly increase the legal minimum age limit for alcohol purchase reflects this evidence-based approach.
As part of a broader prevention strategy, Denmark has introduced clear minimum age limits for alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco sales:
- Alcohol between 1.2% and 6% – Minimum age: 16 years
- Alcohol over 6% – Minimum age: 18 years
- Nicotine and tobacco products – Minimum age: 18 years
Better Enforcement and Higher Fines
To reinforce compliance, Denmark has introduced stricter penalties for illegal sales. As of January 1, 2025, retailers caught selling alcohol, nicotine, or tobacco products to underage customers will face a minimum fine of DKK 50,000 (ca. €6,700) for the first offence. The same penalty applies to illegal sales of nicotine, tobacco, or herbal-based smoking products. These measures aim to enhance enforcement and prevent violations.
A Step Toward Protecting Young People
Denmark’s updated alcohol regulations form part of a comprehensive prevention strategy to reduce alcohol use among young people. Studies have previously highlighted that most European countries have legal minimum age limits to protect people below 18 years of age. Only a small group of countries, including Germany, Belgium, and Austria, have lower age limits – where alcohol harm, such as alcohol intoxication, is high in youth.
By following international standards and at least raising the age limit for higher strength alcohol products, Denmark is showing at least some commitment to reducing youth alcohol use and creating healthier environments for young people.
Source Website: Styrelsen for International Communication (SIK)