Six out of 10 people think the legal drinking age should be raised from 16 to 18, according to an Intomart/Gfk poll of people living in the north of Noord-Holland province.

Several local authorities in the region, including Hoorn and Enkhuizen, have urged the government to increase the drinking age because of growing alcohol abuse among youngsters. The problem is particularly acute in rural areas where illegal drinking dens are popular.
The government is planning to introduce fines for the under-16s caught with alcohol.