Draft law bans sale of alcohol to minors under 16

People caught selling or procuring alcoholic drinks to under 16-year-olds can be fined Lm500 for a first offence and up to Lm1,000 thereafter, in terms of a Bill just presented to Parliament.

The minors themselves also risk incurring a fine when caught consuming alcohol. They could alternatively be ordered to do supervised community work.

The Bill does not only apply to entertainment establishments, but to any public place. Private houses are excluded.

Alcohol is determined by the proposed law as any wine, beer, cider or spirituous liquor that includes more than 0.5 per cent alcohol.

If approved, the law will be the first legislative measure in Malta prohibiting consumption of alcohol by minors. Under the present law, it is illegal to sell alcohol to minors but consumption by underage youngsters is permitted. This means that those aged 16 or over can buy alcohol and give it to somebody who is younger.

Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina, who moved the Bill in Parliament last month, said the government has always placed the best interests of children and young people at the core of its policy-making strategies, and the draft law is one more step in that direction.

"The law is a must and I am confident there will be consensus about it as this is one challenge we must all meet head-on, as a united front, for the sake of our children and generations to come," she said.

Ignoring such issues would be irresponsible and turning a blind eye would certainly not solve anything. She pointed out that today's socialising patterns are different to those of the past.

The proposed law will prohibit parents from procuring alcohol for their underage children.

Asked about parents' responsibility if their children are found drinking, a ministry spokesman said it was "surely not unreasonable" to expect parents to ensure that their children under 16 years respect the law and do not indulge in behaviour that can seriously harm them and others.

"For this reason, parents need to set clear rules and lead by example when it comes to alcohol consumption and they should not only rely on enforcement action by the authorities, although this is very important," the spokesman said, adding that the proposed measures will be a catalyst for parents to ensure their children abide by the law.

The police will be empowered to stop anybody they suspect of having breached the law, including minors, thought to have been drinking alcohol.

"We are confident that people already know that this law will be very beneficial to society at large. This is another important step this government is making in order to safeguard the interests of our youths," the spokesman said.

She said the government will be launching an education campaign targeting all sectors of society to inform and educate them of the provisions of the proposed law and their implications.

A focus group to prepare the campaign, made up of representatives from the social solidarity, education and health ministries, as well as the National Commission on the Abuse of Drugs, Alcohol and other Dependencies, is expected to be announced today.