Adieu to the French Paradox

For years now the world has looked to the French for their relaxed attitude to alcohol and their lean figures. Apparently, this is soon to be history. Increasingly, French teenagers are becoming fat and drunk. Rates of obesity among the young are rising at 17 percent per year and one report suggests that by 2020 the French will be “as fat as the Americans”.

Instead of sipping Chablis and discussing Baudelaire, sneered the Sunday Times on 31 August, French teenagers now “get out of their skulls as quickly as possible on sugary Alcopops and later pitch up in the emergency wards to have their stomachs pumped. Between 2004 and 2007, the number of admissions to hospital for drink-related afflictions doubled for those aged under 25.”

In July 2008 the French government proposed legislation to prevent minors under 18 from drinking in bars or buying alcohol at supermarkets.

The measures are aimed at tackling the growing problem of binge drinking. Currently, France’s drinking age varies depending on the type of alcohol involved and the place of sale. Anyone 16 or older can order beer and wine in bars.

Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot said her bill makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to buy any kind of alcohol in any setting.

Parliament is set to debate the bill later this year, but Ms Bachelot said she hoped to see the measures in force by 2009.