[OJFord]

I wonder how teenage alcohol abuse compares across countries, France in particular comes to mind since it's common to introduce wine relatively early (in moderation, and perhaps diluted, of course). I thought there was quite a young supervised with-meal drinking age too, but having searched for it perhaps that's changed (or I was wrong). If it's not some forbidden fruit maybe the run off with a bottle of vodka thing doesn't happen so much.

[linschn]

In France, diluting your wine will get you the guillotine ;-)

The legal drinking age is 16 for low alcohol content beverages (wine, beer, etc) ; 18 for all alcohols and tobacco.

At a family gathering or on a special occasion you may get a glass of wine starting around 14 or later I'd say, for most middle class families.

Binge drinking is not as much of a problem as in more northern countries, but binge alcohol consumption is a problem that is being felt at the University level.

[OJFord]

Ha, I only meant your children's. Did it not used to be 12y as long as with a meal (and adults) or something?

Otherwise that's pretty much the same as the UK, except the 16/18 distinction is drink/buy rather than low/high ABV. (That's my recollection anyway - I'm almost as far past needing to care for myself as I am away from caring for anyone else!)

[Aeolun]

At the time the legal drinking age in the Netherlands was 16, and I can remember sneaking in drinks a few years early (just not buying any myself). I honestly think it’s for the best to get aquainted with alcohol earlier in your life, so that you don’t go wild later in life when there is much less supervision.