Legal drinking age: Difference between revisions
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# Law mentions only minimum legal possession age, but it is often interpreted that holding a glass or bottle for a time it takes to drink |
# Law mentions only minimum legal possession age, but it is often interpreted that holding a glass or bottle for a time it takes to drink its contents is possession. On some cities non-disturbing or private drinking is overlooked, others have so called "zero-tolerance". |
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# Minors in possession of |
# Minors in possession of alcohol are not punished. However people who make alcohol available to minors are punished. Private drinking is overlooked. |
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=== I - N === |
=== I - N === |
Revision as of 17:16, 22 August 2005
It has been suggested that this article be merged with Legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages. (Discuss) |
Many nations have a legal drinking age, or the minimum age one must be to drink alcohol. In most countries this is 16 or 18; in Canada it is 18 in Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba, and 19 elsewhere, while in the United States it is 21. Some countries distinguish between drinks with fairly low alcohol-content (such as beer and wine) and stronger spirit-based drinks. Many countries have banned alcohol advertising aimed at the youth market.
The high U.S. minimum drinking age is based on minimizing car accidents. The drinking age is actually not a federal law; every state has a limit of 21. The federal government simply withholds some highway transportation funding to states that don't have a limit of 21. The U.S. population have for decades been heavy users of personal automobiles for transportation, and hence it has a higher fatality rate for drivers —taking around 43,000 lives a year. According to proponents such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the relatively high US drinking age lowers the risk of accidents and alcohol addiction in younger people. Some studies appear to support this claim, though others have implied that accidents and the learning curve for handling alcohol are simply moved to the 21+ demographic (perhaps not even saving any lives). Some people argue that if one is old enough to vote and be drafted, one is old enough to drink, and that being introduced to alcohol at a younger age in a family environment means people are more likely to learn responsible drinking habits. Many also consider it unreasonable for college students to not experiment with alcohol until they are 21, as long as it is done safely.
Laws surrounding alcohol vary, but generally, minors are not allowed inside of drinking establishments and are not allowed to purchase alcohol. However, contrary to popular belief, few states specifically prohibit minors' consumption of alcohol in private settings. In the United Kingdom, children may enter pubs in the company of an adult until 9 PM and 14-year-olds may enter pubs unaccompanied if they order a meal. Some jurisdictions allow minors to drink in the privacy of their own home, with their parents' permission, and others do not.
Proof of age is usually required to enter bars and clubs, or to buy alcoholic beverages in shops. In the United States, this is usually done by showing a driver's license. In New Zealand, multiple forms of identification can be used, including 18 Plus Cards; in the UK, driver's licences, passports, or special "proof of age" cards must be used. In some countries, such as Japan, asking for ID is relatively rare: it is generally assumed that anyone who doesn't look underage, isn't.
Legal drinking age by country
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. |
A - D
Country | Legal drinking age | Legal purchasing age |
---|---|---|
Antigua | 16 | |
Argentina | 18 | |
Armenia | No minimum age | |
Australia | 18, No minimum age to drink in private with parent/guardian, or in public bars with a meal | 18 |
Austria1 | 16 (beer and wine), 18 (spirits) | |
Azerbaijan | No minimum age | |
Barbados | 18 | |
Belgium | 16 | |
Bermuda | 18 | |
Brazil | 18 | |
Bulgaria | No minimum drinking age | 16 |
Canada | Alberta/ Manitoba/ Québec: 18
Other provinces: 19 |
|
China | No minimum drinking age | |
Denmark | No minimum drinking age | 16 (in shops); 18 (in bars and restaurants) |
Dominican Republic | 18 |
- Exception: Vorarlberg: 16 for spirits
E - H
Country | Legal drinking age | Legal purchasing age |
---|---|---|
Ecuador | 18 | |
Egypt | 21 | |
Estonia | 18 | 18 |
Finland | None by law, 18 in practice1 | 18 (shops up to 22% ABV and all drinks in bars), 20 (over 22% ABV in shops) |
France | 16 in public, private drinking is overlooked | 16 (beer and wine), 18 (spirits) |
Georgia | No minimum age | |
Germany | 16 (beer and wine), 18 (spirits) | 16 (beer and wine), 18 (spirits)² |
Greece | 18 | |
Hong Kong | 18 |
- Law mentions only minimum legal possession age, but it is often interpreted that holding a glass or bottle for a time it takes to drink its contents is possession. On some cities non-disturbing or private drinking is overlooked, others have so called "zero-tolerance".
- Minors in possession of alcohol are not punished. However people who make alcohol available to minors are punished. Private drinking is overlooked.
I - N
Country | Legal drinking age | Legal purchasing age |
---|---|---|
Iceland | 20 | |
India | Varies from State to State. Karnataka has the lowest (18), while Delhi has the highest (25). |
|
Israel | 18 | |
Italy | 16 | |
Jamaica | No minimum age | |
Japan | 20 | |
Korea | 21 | |
Latvia | No minimum drinking age | 18 |
Lebanon | 18 | |
Lithuania | 18 | |
Malaysia | 21 | |
Mexico | 18 | |
Netherlands | 16 (beer and wine), 18 (spirits) | |
New Zealand | No minimum drinking age | 18 |
Nigeria | No minimum age | |
Norway | 18 (beer and wine), 20 (spirits) |
O - V
Country | Legal drinking age | Legal purchasing age |
---|---|---|
Pakistan | No minimum drinking age | 16 |
Peru | 18 | |
Philippines | 16 | |
Poland | No minimum drinking age | 18 |
Portugal | No minimum drinking age | 16 (beer and wine), 18 (other drinks)1 |
Republic of Ireland | 18 | |
Russia | 18 | |
Slovenia | 18 | |
Slovakia | 18 | |
Singapore | 18 | |
South Africa | 18 | |
Spain | 16 | |
Sri Lanka | 18 | |
Sweden | 18 | 18 (shops up to 3.5% ABV and all drinks in bars), 20 (over 3.5% ABV in shops) |
Switzerland | No minimum drinking age | 16 (beer and wine), 18 (spirits and spirit-based cocktails) |
Taiwan | 18 | |
Turkey | 18 | |
Uganda | 18 | |
Ukraine | 21 | |
United Kingdom | 5 in private, with adults 2 18 in public 16 if purchasing with a meal |
18 |
United States | 21 | 21 |
Vietnam | No minimum age |
- People suffering mental illness or notoriously drunk cannot purchase or obtain alcoholic beverages
- Children under 5 can drink alcohol, but only from a note from the person's GP
- 16 for beer, cider or wine with a meal in a restaurant