Overview
- Health-policy spokespeople Christos Pantazis (SPD) and Simone Borchardt (CDU) voiced support for making alcohol more expensive through a purpose-bound charge rather than a general tax rise.
- Borchardt proposes focusing the levy on high-proof alcohol with proceeds directed to prevention, addiction counseling, therapy, and treatment; she told WELT the funds should flow directly to the health insurance pool.
- Germany’s retail alcohol prices are about 14% below the EU average, with only Italy cheaper, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
- Public-health data show widespread risk: the RKI reports roughly one third of adults drink at health-damaging levels, and doctors’ groups back an earmarked levy as more acceptable and effective than a simple tax hike.
- The ideas remain proposals, with the Greens and parts of the Left expressing support, the AfD criticizing the approach, the health minister Nina Warken cautioning against new taxes, and a separate draft to ban supervised drinking by minors signaled for early 2026.