Alcohol use at a young age has health consequences that can appear in the short, medium and long term, such as accidents, injuries and diseases. Early initiation and repeated alcohol consumption have been associated with worsened mental health conditions such as anxiety, decline in cognitive functions and higher consumption in adulthood (Spear, 2018[1]).
In 2022, across OECD countries, 60% of 15‑year‑olds reported having ever consumed alcohol in their lifetime, while 38% reported having consumed alcohol in the last month (Figure 4.12). Monthly alcohol drinking begins at an early age: on average, 5% of 11‑year‑olds and 15% of 13‑year‑olds reported drinking alcohol in the last month. The highest rates (10% or more) among the 11‑year‑olds were observed in Czechia, France, Hungary and the United Kingdom, as well as in accession countries Bulgaria and Romania. Among 15‑year‑olds, Denmark, Italy and Germany reported the highest rates, with 55% or more indicating alcohol consumption in the last month. Between 2018 and 2022, the share of 15‑year‑olds who reported consuming alcohol in the last month decreased slightly from 39% to 38%, while the share of the 11‑year‑olds increased slightly from 4% to 5% on average across OECD countries.
Repeated drunkenness in adolescence is a serious concern: around 22% of 15‑year‑olds reported having been drunk more than once in their lifetime (Figure 4.13). This proportion reached a high of more than 35% in Denmark and Hungary as well as accession country Bulgaria, compared to less than 10% in Iceland, Portugal and Israel. No consistent gender pattern was found in reported drunkenness across countries: on average, girls experienced drunkenness as frequently as boys in 2022. Lifetime prevalence of drunkenness among adolescents had been decreasing on average across OECD countries, but this downward trend recently levelled off among boys (remaining at 22% in 2019 and 2022) and reversed among girls (rising to 22% in 2022 from 19% in 2018).
To address underage drinking, many countries have adopted regulatory and preventive strategies aimed at limiting availability of alcohol and restricting its marketing. These typically include age restrictions for purchasing alcohol, limitations on sales outlets, fiscal measures, advertising bans and educational programmes (OECD, 2021[2]). In 2018, Ireland introduced the Public Health Alcohol Act with the objectives of reducing alcohol consumption, delaying initiation in children and adolescents, and regulate supply and pricing. Since its introduction, alcohol advertising has been restricted around areas frequented by children and adolescents – such as schools, playgrounds and train stations – as well as on television during certain hours of the day, in order to reduce their exposure.
Estonia and Finland have legal measures in place that restrict alcohol advertising in digital media. Finland’s Alcohol Control Act (2015) prohibits alcohol marketing on social media using user-generated content, and requires that alcohol marketing does not target or depict minors. In Estonia, alcohol advertising is banned on social media through the amended Advertising Act of 2018, with the exception of websites and official social media accounts of alcohol handlers (WHO, 2023[3]).
More recently, Belgium adopted a new Alcohol Action Plan 2023‑2025, aimed at reducing the availability of alcohol. Taking a holistic approach towards alcohol prevention, the plan includes regulatory measures such as banning alcohol sales through vending machines, strengthening prevention activities and improving access to alcohol-related treatment and care.
