More 15-year-olds are drinking alcohol at least once a week, a recent survey found. The National Institute of Public Health’s survey also said there is an increased number of Danish children who get drunk. While non-profit Alkohol & Samfund is pushing for the age to purchase alcohol to be raised to 18 and the Danish Health Authority stressing that children below 18 should not consume alcohol, Minister of Health Sophie Løhde has said the government will not ban alcohol for those under 18. She said, “The government does not have a total ban up its sleeve. And I actually think it’s a little naive to think we can ban ourselves out of all problems.” Sophie has instead suggested better control over the sale of alcohol and reducing the alcohol percentage that minors are allowed to buy. In Denmark, if you are 16 years old or older, you can purchase alcoholic drinks with an alcohol percentage of 16.5 or below.
