The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a new law on alcohol and minors, which will allow the police to conduct breathalyser tests on underage children in specific locations and circumstances where alcohol consumption is prohibited, including schools and colleges.
The legislation, which now moves to parliamentary debate, also introduces restrictions on alcohol advertising, sales, and public consumption in an effort to reduce youth drinking across Spain, including the Canary Islands.
Stricter Regulations on Alcohol Consumption and Sales
The law, proposed by the Minister of Health, Mónica García, aims to unify existing national and regional regulations. It will ban alcohol consumption for everyone, including adults, in educational institutions (except universities), student residences that house minors, and public sports, leisure, and entertainment venues when events are designed specifically for young audiences.
Sales restrictions will also be tighter. Establishments catering to minors will not be allowed to sell alcohol, and in self-service stores, alcoholic beverages must be displayed in a separate, designated area. Vending machines selling alcohol will be required to implement age verification mechanisms similar to those used for tobacco machines. The law will also ban unlicensed street sales of alcohol.
Advertising and Sponsorship Restrictions
The law will prohibit alcohol advertisements within 150 metres of schools, healthcare facilities, social service centres, and children's recreational areas. Additionally, hospitality venues will no longer be allowed to display alcohol advertisements on tables or walls.
In a further move to limit exposure, the law will ban the marketing of products that mimic alcoholic beverages, such as zero-alcohol spirits (0.0%), with the exception of non-alcoholic beer and wine.
The Government’s Stance on Alcohol and Health
García emphasised that no amount of alcohol is safe for consumption, countering the long-standing belief that moderate drinking can offer health benefits. "We must eradicate the deeply ingrained, unscientific notion that alcohol consumption can have some health benefits," she stated.
She also highlighted that while consultations with industry representatives have taken place, the primary focus of the legislation is protecting minors and adolescents from alcohol exposure.
Alarming Alcohol Consumption Among Teenagers
According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use in Secondary Schools in Spain (ESTUDES), alcohol is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance among students aged 14 to 18.
Experts also warn about the increasing prevalence of high-risk drinking behaviours, including binge drinking and heavy drinking sessions, which are strongly linked to the practice of ‘botellóns’, which are outdoor drinking gatherings popular among young people. These trends are observed in both male and female adolescents.
With this new law, the government aims to curb underage drinking and protect young people from the long-term health and social consequences of alcohol consumption.
