10

Danish supermarket chain wants new age limit for alcohol sales

In a bid to crack down on the drinking culture among young people, Coop has called for a ban on alcohol sales to teens under the age of 18

Denmark is a European leader in a number of areas … and not only in relation to happiness, climate and work-life balance. 

For years now the country has consistently led the statistics in terms of teenage drinking.

Figures from 2020 showed that 65 percent of 15-year-olds in Denmark drank alcohol every month – about twice the EU average.

Now Coop – which operates supermarkets SuperBrugsen, Kvickly, Dagli´Brugsen, Coop 365discount, Fakta and Irma – has called for change.

READ ALSO: Danish researchers crack non-alcoholic beer code

Sweet 16 to young
Coop wants to raise the national age limit for purchasing alcohol to 18. 

“The road to a changed alcohol culture among our youth requires efforts from all sides of society. In retail we can contribute by not selling alcohol to youngsters,” said Coop executive vice president, Per Thau.

“A prerequisite for succeeding in doing so are clear and uniform rules. So we think that an age limit of 18 for all types of alcohol sold everywhere – shops, restaurants etc – is a reasonable solution.”

Currently, the age limit is dependent on the alcohol percentage of the drink in question.

Danish law stipulates that you must be at least 18 to purchase drinks with an alcohol percentage above 16.5 percent (aside from in bars and restaurants) – but only 16 for anything lower than that.

Manufactures cynically target teens in Denmark with drinks possessing an alcohol content of around 16 percent.

TOP STORIES

  • Where to take a swim in Copenhagen — rain or shine

    Where to take a swim in Copenhagen — rain or shine

    With the help of Wonderful Copenhagen, let’s look at where to swim when the weather is good — because when it happens, you’ll want to be ready

  • Danish Originals S7E5: Camilla Stærk

    Danish Originals S7E5: Camilla Stærk

    This week, Bonderup-born, London-trained, New York-based Danish designer Camilla Stærk talks about her work, anchored against a strong foundation of her Danish heritage combined with her fascination with Old Hollywood and film noir, and expressed in what she describes as the whole universe: of fashion, furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories

  • Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    In recent years, the spread of cocaine has accelerated. The drug is easily accessible and not only reserved for wealthy party heads. Copenhagen Police have just arrested ten young people and charged them with reselling cocaine

  • 5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    Here are five mistakes I made that helped me understand that belonging isn’t a strategy—it’s a practice. This isn’t a story of struggle—it’s a reflection on growth, told through the lens of emotional intelligence.

  • Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Earlier this year, the Danish government changed the law on access for people from third world countries to the Danish labor market. Yet, there may still be a shortcut that goes through universities

  • Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Queen Company, a Denmark-origin flower producer with pristine sustainability credentials, is under fire for alleged labor rights violations at its Turkish operation, located in Dikili, İzmir. Workers in the large greenhouse facility have been calling decent work conditions for weeks. The Copenhagen Post gathered testimonies from the workers to better understand the situation

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality

  • Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.

  • New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs