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Milano moves to curb teenage drinking |
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Jul 18, 2009 at 02:41 PM |
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A few of you snorted in disbelief when, back in April, I wrote about Italy's growing problem with alcoholism, especially among teenagers. But this was no joke and the first to take concrete action is Milan's mayor, Letizia Moratti, who yesterday passed a city edict ruling that starting Monday no alcoholic drinks or bottles are to be sold to anyone under 16 and, furthermore - and this is the real novelty - that consumption of alcoholic drinks by minors is illegal, in restaurants or on the street. The parents of minors who disobey the experimental ordinance, which will remain in effect over the next four months, will be subject to a fine of 450 euros, over $600. The amount rises to 500 euros if the fine is not paid within five days.
Madame la mayor, a businesswoman and former Education Minister, said the prohibition had become necessary in a city where a third of 11 year olds were already demonstrating problems with alcohol. I have not seen this with my own eyes, but I have read reports that during the so-called "movida" (the Italians have adopted the Spanish word), that is the evening crush when young people crowd the streets of a certain area (because walking up and down ithe same street s apparantly fun), children of 13 and 14 can be seen drinking beer from bottles and then tossing the empties on the ground.
Moratti was the first to admit that the effect of the new regulation - the first of its kind here, ever, in the sense that other Northern cities have banned sales to the under 16 crowd but have not barred drinking itself - may be limited. As everyone knows, and as I have often written, Italy is not a place where authorities have a very good record in following through on laws or regulations that the central or local governments have put in place. (In Trastevere, in Rome, where I live, it would be hard to believe that two months ago a law was passed saying all dogs should be on a leach AND wear a muzzle. Ha!) Furthermore, minors can get beer from vending machines or drink wine at home. So that if no action is taken in schools, recreational centers, or in the home, the effect will be minimal. Still, it's a start. |
