'Israel is waiting.' Netanyahu
Photo: Reuters
The cabinet on Sunday approved a bill proposed by Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch which seeks to prevent teen drinking. The bill bans alcohol sales to people under 21 years of age or at stores that do not possess a permit.
Worrying Statistics
Yael Branovsky
Anti-Drug Authority poll finds one in every five 12-18 year-olds knows where to go to buy hashish
The Internal Security Ministry stated that the approval was an important achievement in the battle against violence and traffic accidents.
The bill will now be put up for a vote in the Knesset.
At the onset of the cabinet's meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that according to the World Health Organization ranks second in alcohol consumption among children aged 11 and under. He said that the organization's data further showed that over half of Israeli teens aged 15-17 have consumed alcohol.
"This is a real epidemic," said the PM.
The bill also bans the sale of alcohol in public places and calls for imposing hefty fines on those who sell alcohol to minors.
The Knesset will also be asked to approve a ban on the sale of alcohol between 7 pm and 11 pm.
"I expect the Knesset to approve this legislation. We need a law as soon as possible. The people of Israel are anticipating it," said Netanyahu.