Italian Drinking Laws
Drinking wine with meals is an ancient custom in Italy, as in much of the rest of Europe. This custom is passed down to the younger members of most Italian families. The familiar glass of wine at the family dinner table shapes the attitude towards alcohol of Italian adults, most of whom consider wine a beverage rather than a mood- or mind-altering drug. As a result, the drinking-age laws of Italy reflect a tolerant attitude toward consumption of alcohol by minors.
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Minimum Ages
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There is no legal minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages, but like many nations in Europe, Italy sets a minimum age for purchase. Article 689 of the Codice Penale (Penal Code) of Italy makes the sale of alcoholic drinks to minors under 16 a criminal offense. A minor must be at least 16 to buy alcoholic drinks of less than 10 percent alcohol in a public establishment. The law sets a minimum age of 18 to purchase stronger alcoholic drinks. Those 14 or 15 years of age, by the law, may drink in a restaurant or other public establishment if the alcohol is provided by a parent or legal guardian. The state of South Tyrol, lying along the northern border with Austria, has a slightly stricter law that sets a minimum age of 16 for anyone who wishes to consume or purchase alcohol.
Light Enforcement
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The law is lightly enforced and few establishments will demand proof of age for the purchase of alcohol. Wine and beer are offered by nearly all restaurants, bars, cafes, pizzerias, and other casual dining establishments. Italy does have laws concerning public drunkenness and drunk driving.
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Calls for Stricter Laws
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The rate of alcohol-related traffic accidents is high in Italy, and the rate of accident-related injury and deaths for teenagers is rising. This has led to calls for a change in the drinking-age law. A proposal to raise the minimum age for purchase to 18 was introduced as part of the federal budget in 2006, but was ultimately defeated after loud protests by the Italian restaurant industry.
The Law of 2001
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In 2001, Italy did pass new laws regarding the use of alcohol in media advertising. New measures also regulated medical treatment of alcoholism, and decreed that educational and health programs concentrate on alcoholism prevention. Certain "dangerous" working environments were declared to be alcohol-free, and workers in these environments are subject to testing. The legal maximum blood-alcohol limit was lowered for drivers and motorcyclists, and a new Council on Alcohol Related Problems was established.
The Right Emphasis on Drinking
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The 2001 law placed Italy more in conformity with the rest of the European Community on alcohol-related regulations. With its emphasis on education, alcoholism prevention, and medical treatment, combined with a strong cultural grounding in the responsible use of alcohol, Italy has achieved one of the lowest rates of alcoholism in Europe.
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