PHILIPSBURG–The Penal Code establishes the legal alcohol drinking age at eighteen, but the ordinance regulating the sale of alcohol prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone below age sixteen. This glaring discrepancy will soon be tackled by Parliament via an initiative draft law.
The draft law to amend the Permit Ordinance was initiated by former Member of Parliament now Minister of Education and Youth Silveria Jacobs (National Alliance).
The Council of Advice has commented on the draft law and Jacobs has reacted to the Council’s comments. This process completed, the draft law is ready to be tabled in a Central Committee meeting of Parliament, said Parliament Chairwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams.
“Given the policy of Parliament that in the absence of the initiative taker, the respective faction can further the draft initiative law, I have recommended to the faction leader of the NA to take up this matter and present it to Parliament for further handling,” said Wescot-Williams on Wednesday.
The St. Maarten’s Lions Club has been an advocate for a change in the age alcohol is accessible legally to youngsters and addressed this in Parliament over a year ago.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/65517-draft-law-soon-on-upping-age-for-alcohol-purchase
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