Parents To Be Fined €300 For Underage Drinkers
Spain News
Published: 19 June 2014 11:58 CET
Updated: 20 December 2019 12:58 CET
The Spanish Ministry of Health have recently proposed new legislation in an attempt to tackle the increase in underage drinking in the country.
Under the new proposals, parents of children under the age of 16 will be fined € 300 if their child is consistently found to be intoxicated with alcohol. Anyone over the age of 16 and up to 18 years of age will possibly have to pay the fines themselves, as they are able to work from the age of 16.
Much larger fines of up to € 600,000 may also be issued to any pubs, bars, discos and supermarkets who are repeatedly found to be selling alcohol to minors.
Local governments already have the power to impose fines on businesses selling to underage drinkers, but the government is looking to bring in one new law that will cover the whole of the country.
Other measures will also be put into place including a strict rule on placement of alcohol advertising which will have to be placed no less than 100 metres from schools.
In recent years, Spain has seen a big rise in teenage binge-drinking and what it commonly refers to as "English drinking". It is thought that over 60% of 14-16 years olds attend "botellones" each year, where cash-strapped youngsters attend drinking parties and save money by mixing alcohol with fizzy soft drinks.
It is not clear when these new laws will be passed, but hopefully it will help bring the issue of underage drinking in Spain under control.
