Protection of minors at the funfair: Parents are particularly challenged

The funfair is just around the corner: it officially starts on Friday afternoon. But despite the anticipation, the city of Bocholt draws the attention of parents in particular to the consequences of alcohol abuse among young people.

The funfair days are just around the corner and most children and young people are getting ready for the festival with great anticipation. However, the colourful hustle and bustle is not only fun.

The exuberant atmosphere on fairground days often leads to alcohol abuse, especially among young people. The consequences of abusive alcohol consumption among young people are alcohol poisoning with the associated serious health consequences.

Against this background, parents are particularly challenged to talk to their children about the consumption of alcohol as well as the dangers of addiction, because children and adolescents should know how alcohol works and how harmful it can be. Often they are not aware that alcohol consumption causes considerable damage to their health because they are still growing.

In order to shake young people awake in this respect, the City of Bocholt uses the youth protection posters of the campaign "Bocholt rüttelt wach!" (Bocholt shakes awake!) designed by Bocholt schoolchildren for the Bocholt funfair and warns them of the consequences of abusive alcohol consumption with the motifs "Voll versagt!..klar, fährt sich's besser.!" and "Du entscheidest...nicht der Alkohol!" (You decide...not the alcohol!).

The Youth Protection Act stipulates that alcoholic beverages may not be distributed to children and young people under 16 years of age, nor may they be allowed to consume them. For other alcoholic beverages, such as spirits, the law even stipulates that they may not be consumed before the age of 18. Even an adult who gives alcoholic drinks to minors in his or her clique is liable to prosecution.

Adults, innkeepers and tradespeople are called upon to work towards compliance with the legal provisions for the protection of minors.

At the same time, the City of Bocholt calls on all parents to fulfil their duty of supervision during the fair and to observe the provisions of the Youth Protection Act.

The Youth Protection Act at a glance:

• Young people under the age of 16 are not permitted to buy or consume alcohol.
• From the age of 16, the purchase and consumption of wine, sparkling wine and beer is permitted.
• Other alcoholic beverages such as schnapps, liqueurs and alcopops as well as all tobacco products, e-cigarettes, e-shishas are only permitted from the age of 18.
• Adolescents under 16 years of age are only allowed to stay in restaurants and at dance events if they are accompanied by a person who has parental authority or is responsible for their upbringing. 16- and 17-year-olds are allowed to be present unaccompanied until midnight.