This Europe: Greece calls time on teens' taste for whisky

Greece is calling time on underage drinking to try to stave off what health officials call a "coming crisis" in alcohol abuse. Recommendations from the health ministry commission this week could spell the end for Europe's most liberal licensing laws.

For drinkers of all ages, Greece is the home of hedonism. Bars have no age restrictions and no official closing times.

A child can walk up to a kiosk in Athens day or night and buy a bottle of vodka. "Everyone recognises the out-of-control situation can't continue," Elpida Tsouri, a Health minister, said.

The commission wants a legal drinking age of 18, entry restrictions to bars and a licensing system to reduce the points of sale for alcohol.

Whisky has long since replaced ouzo as the national drink and Greeks' taste for a tipple has seen them rise to the top of the EU table for consumption of hard liquor. With fewer than 11 million inhabitants, Greece is almost unbelievably one of the top three markets for Scotch whisky, the average citizen consuming nearly three litres a year. The growing relationship between hard liquor brands and the youth market is what set alarm bells ringing. Distillers sponsor cinemas, radio stations and sports events. Advertising is aimed at a young audience.

Research showed primary school children were spending more than 10 per cent of their pocket money on cigarettes and alcohol and those aged 16 to 18 spent up to half.

"We must underline the social cost of [alcohol] abuse in road accidents, breakup of relationships and domestic violence," Ms Tsouri added.