A report published by the European Parliament’s working group on quality of childhood is calling for a complete ban on alcohol for anyone who is under the age of 18.

The study’s author, Dr. Aric Sigman, believes adolescents will have a higher chance of developing an addiction to alcohol and damaging the shape and size of teenager’s brains in the long term.

Sigman said, “Even in small amounts, alcohol may have long-lasting effects on young people’s brains.”

In Spain and France, the legal age of drinking is 16 and their drinking culture is not as serious Ireland’s. Wine with dinner is common practice for Mediterranean families from a young age.

The report demands that the multi-million euro alcohol industry be excluded from any future policy influence. 

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