Big cities want alcohol ban for under 18s

Officials in Rotterdam, Utrecht and the Hague want the government to ban all alcohol sales to the under-18s, the Telegraaf reports on Wednesday.

At the moment, 16 and 17-year-olds can legally buy wine, beer and pre mixed alcopops in shops and drink beer and wine in bars.
Legislation currently going through parliament will allow local authorities to decide for themselves whether the age limit for alcohol should be 16 or 18.
Alcohol tourism
But the big city council officials say this will lead to alcohol tourism, with teenagers going to neighbouring villages and towns to get around the ban.
Amsterdam city council said earlier it backs an 18 age limit limit for supermarket sales but is happy to see the 16 limit continue in cafes and bars.
Earlier this week, it emerged over 700 young teenagers were hospitalised after drinking too much between 2007 and mid 2009. The home of a friend is the most popular place to get drunk.
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