14 June 2007
BRUSSELS – The Federation of Belgian Beer Brewers wants a total ban on the sale of beer to young people under the age of 16.
“Beer requires a certain degree of maturity. Drinking beer under the age of 16 is actually alcohol abuse,” the Beer Brewers said in a number of Flemish newspapers this morning.
Philippe Moortgat, director of the Belgian Beer Brewers, says that the plan is still in its very early stages. “But we want to make this happen. Our federation promotes moderate beer consumption. Young people under 16 who are drinking beer are actually abusing it,” he told the newspapers.
Café owners are currently allowed to serve alcohol to minors if they are accompanied by an adult. But the federation wants a complete ban for youth up to the age of 16.
The Centre for Alcohol and Drugs (CAD) reports that teenagers usually try alcohol for the first time at the age of 12 or 13.
[Copyright Expatica News 2007]
Subject: Belgian news