The New Law on Preventing Under-Age Alcohol Use
Spain has taken a major step forward in protecting children and young people better from alcohol harm. According to Euro Weekly News, the Council of Ministers has approved the Law on the Prevention of Alcohol Consumption in Minors. This bill will now move to Parliament for final approval.
This new law is set to introduce evidence-based standards to better prevent early onset of alcohol use and reduce binge alcohol consumption among Spanish youth.
Why This Law? The Facts on Under-Age Alcohol Use
Alcohol use among minors in Spain is a serious public health problem.
According to the latest national survey on drug use in secondary education:
- 56% of minors (14-18 years old) used alcohol in the last month.
- One-third of these minors consumed five or more alcoholic beverages in under two hours.
- 93% of teens aged 14-18 say they can still access alcohol easily, despite existing age limits.
The Spanish government sees this as a pressing social issue. Health Minister Mónica García has called the law “pioneering” and “comprehensive”, stating that there is no safe amount of alcohol that does not harm health.
Key Measures in the New Law
The new law that the government has approved for discussion and adoption in parliament contains four key measures: No alcohol consumption in spaces where minors are present in a majority; Improved alcohol advertising laws; Changes to alcohol sales and urban planning around alcohol retail outlets; as well as healthcare and education initiatives.
1. No Alcohol Use in Spaces Where Minors Are Present
To prevent exposure to alcohol, the law is set to ban alcohol consumption in locations where minors are the majority, including:
- Schools (except universities),
- Child protection centers,
- Student residences that admit minors, and
- Sports and leisure centers hosting activities for minors.
Authorities will be able to conduct breathalyzer tests on both adults and minors at these locations.
2. Improved Alcohol Advertising Laws
Alcohol advertising is a key tool the alcohol industry deploys aggressively to hook young people, including minors, early and make the life-long alcohol consumers. Therefore, the new law seeks to protect children and youth better.
The law bans alcohol advertising that targets or influences minors. For example:
- No use of people under 21 or actors portraying minors in alcohol ads,
- No linking alcohol to social, physical, or sexual success, and
- No advertising of products that resemble alcohol, such as 0.0% spirits, in spaces for minors.
However, non-alcoholic beer and wine are exempt from this improved alcohol advertising law.
3. Changes to Alcohol Sales and Urban Planning
Alcohol advertising, promotion, and sponsorship is very harmful for children and youth.
To protect minors from exposure to alcohol, the law is set to introduce new alcohol sales standards:
- No alcohol sales in stores primarily selling products for minors (e.g., toy shops),
- Alcohol in self-service stores must be placed in separate sections, away from children’s products, and
- Vending machines must have age verification systems and are banned from areas where alcohol use is not allowed.
Additionally, the law is set to ban alcohol advertising within 150 meters of schools, hospitals, social services, parks, and children’s play areas. This includes:
- Billboards and posters on public streets, and
- Branded furniture in bars and restaurants (chairs, tables, awnings, etc.). Existing furniture can remain, but new establishments will have to comply within a year.
4. Healthcare and Education Initiatives
The government also aims to strengthen alcohol prevention in healthcare settings and schools:
- Emergency rooms must assess minors admitted for alcohol poisoning and record alcohol use in medical histories,
- Schools will introduce educational programs on alcohol prevention, and
- Family programs will be developed to help prevent and reduce alcohol harm in households.
Enforcement and Penalties
To ensure compliance, the law introduces penalties for violations. The penalties for these practices range from €7.5 to €35 million or between 2% and 7% of the global business of the offending company.
The authority responsible for prosecuting violations depends on the area of enforcement: the Spanish Data Protection Agency will oversee biometric systems, the General Council of the Judiciary will handle judicial matters, the Central Electoral Board will regulate issues related to democratic processes, and the AESIA will oversee all other cases.
A Step Forward in Youth Health Promotion
If approved, this law will introduce some of the highest and most evidence-based rules and standards for alcohol advertising and sales in Spain’s history.
With under-age alcohol use still widespread, these measures aim to delay first use and reduce binge alcohol use among Spanish youth. The government has made it clear that the protection of minors from early alcohol exposure and easy access is a key health promotion priority.
Sources
La Moncloa (Government of Spain): “Council of Ministers Press Conference“
Euro Weekly News: “Spain Cracks Down on Underage Alcohol Sales”
Ara in English: “Ban on Drinking at Children’s Games and No Advertising Near Schools: The Keys to the New Law on Alcohol and Minors“