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|[[United States]]<br />(50 States and D.C.)
|[[United States]]<br />(50 States and D.C.)
| align=center|varies by state<ref name="icap"/>
| align=center|varies by state<ref name="icap"/>
| align=center|21 <ref name="icap"/>
| align=center|18 <ref name="icap"/>
|The [[National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984]] states that revenue will be withheld from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 18. Prior to the effective date of that Act, the [[U.S. history of alcohol minimum purchase age by state|drinking age varied from state to state]]. Some [[U. S. state|states]] do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in [[bar (establishment)|bars]] (usually, the difference between a bar and a [[restaurant]] is whether food is being served). Contrary to popular belief, since the [[National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984]], few states specifically prohibit [[minor (law)|minor]]s' and [[youth|young adults]]' consumption of alcohol in private settings. As of January 1, 2007, 14 states and the [[District of Columbia]] ban underage consumption outright, 19 states do not specifically ban underage consumption, and an additional 17 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws. <br />Federal law explicitly provides for religious, medical, employment and private club possession exceptions; as of 2005, 31 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. However, non-alcoholic beer in many (but not all) states, some including [[Idaho]], [[Texas]], and [[Maryland]], is considered legal for minors (those under the age of 21).<ref>[http://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/index.asp?Type=BAS_APIS&amp;SEC={DA244DAF-EB78-425C-915B-D26D303F9E13}&amp;DE={468A8313-845A-41C8-A6F1-73D42EDD5F24} Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Possession of Alcohol as of January 1, 2007], Alcohol Policy Information System</ref><br />
|The [[National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984]] states that revenue will be given to states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 18. Prior to the effective date of that Act, the [[U.S. history of alcohol minimum purchase age by state|drinking age varied from state to state]]. Some [[U. S. state|states]] do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in [[bar (establishment)|bars]] (usually, the difference between a bar and a [[restaurant]] is whether food is being served). Contrary to popular belief, since the [[National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984]], few states specifically prohibit [[minor (law)|minor]]s' and [[youth|young adults]]' consumption of alcohol in private settings. As of January 1, 2007, 14 states and the [[District of Columbia]] ban underage consumption outright, 19 states do not specifically ban underage consumption, and an additional 17 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws. <br />Federal law explicitly provides for religious, medical, employment and private club possession exceptions; as of 2005, 31 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. However, non-alcoholic beer in many (but not all) states, some including [[Idaho]], [[Texas]], and [[Maryland]], is considered legal for minors (those under the age of 21).<ref>[http://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/index.asp?Type=BAS_APIS&amp;SEC={DA244DAF-EB78-425C-915B-D26D303F9E13}&amp;DE={468A8313-845A-41C8-A6F1-73D42EDD5F24} Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Possession of Alcohol as of January 1, 2007], Alcohol Policy Information System</ref><br />
By a judge's ruling, [[South Carolina]] appears to currently allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by those 18–20 years of age.<ref name="test">[http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=10726099 Judge: State law barring underage drinking is unconstitutional]</ref>
By a judge's ruling, [[South Carolina]] appears to currently allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by those 18–20 years of age.<ref name="test">[http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=10726099 Judge: State law barring underage drinking is unconstitutional]</ref>
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Revision as of 23:34, 10 September 2009

Map showing the legal age for buying alcohol around the World

The legal drinking age refers to the earliest age in a country that a person is legally allowed to buy alcoholic beverages, which may be different to the age at which they may be permitted to drink alcohol, especially in the privacy of their home. The legal drinking age varies around the world, from countries in Europe where people may consume alcoholic beverages from a young age, or generally 16 or 17, to states in India where the drinking age is as high as 25. Some Islamic nations prohibit alcohol consumption by Muslims, and others by anyone.

Africa

Country / Region De jure Notes
Drinking age Purchase age
Algeria 18[1]
Botswana 16[1]
Cameroon 18[1] 21[1]
Egypt 18 for beer. 21 for wine and spirits.[1][2] Not Asked For ID
Eritrea 16[1]
Ethiopia 18[1]
Ghana 18[3]
Kenya 18[1]
Libya illegal[1]
Malawi 18[3]
Mauritius none[1]
Morocco none[4] 16[4]
Namibia 18[1]
Niger 18[1]
Nigeria 18[1]
Rwanda 18[1]
South Africa 18[1]
Swaziland none[1] 18[1]
Sudan illegal[1]
Uganda 18[1]
Tunisia 15[1]
Zambia 16[1]
Zimbabwe 16[1]

Americas

Country / region De jure Notes
Drinking Age Purchase Age
Argentina 18[1]
Bahamas 18[1]
Belize 18[1]
Bolivia 2[1]
Brazil 18[1]
Canada 18[1] in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. Underage drinking by 16-17 year olds under parental supervision is permitted in Manitoba. Underage drinking by minors, under parental supervision in a residence or a temporary residence, is permitted in Alberta [5] and New Brunswick.
19[1] in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut. Underage drinking under parental supervision is permitted at home in the provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ontario[6] and Saskatchewan.[7] (To be clear, in British Columbia, only children of the supervising parents are allowed underage drinking, not any other minors or guests. Consumption of alcohol in another person's home is subject to other laws.)[8]
Chile 21[1]
Colombia 21[1]
Costa Rica 21[1]
Cuba none[1] 18 [1]
Dominican Republic 21[1]
Ecuador 21[1] Not strictly enforced
El Salvador 21[1]
Guatemala 21[1]
Haiti 21[1]
Honduras 18[9]
Jamaica 18[1]
Mexico 21[1] Not strictly enforced
Panama 21[1]
Paraguay 20[1]
Peru 21[1]
Puerto Rico 21[1]
United States
(50 States and D.C.) 		varies by state[1] 18 [1] The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 states that revenue will be given to states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 18. Prior to the effective date of that Act, the drinking age varied from state to state. Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in bars (usually, the difference between a bar and a restaurant is whether food is being served). Contrary to popular belief, since the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, few states specifically prohibit minors' and young adults' consumption of alcohol in private settings. As of January 1, 2007, 14 states and the District of Columbia ban underage consumption outright, 19 states do not specifically ban underage consumption, and an additional 17 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws.
Federal law explicitly provides for religious, medical, employment and private club possession exceptions; as of 2005, 31 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. However, non-alcoholic beer in many (but not all) states, some including Idaho, Texas, and Maryland, is considered legal for minors (those under the age of 21).[10]

By a judge's ruling, South Carolina appears to currently allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by those 18–20 years of age.[11]

Uruguay 18[1]
Venezuela 18[1]

Asia

Country / region De jure Notes
Drinking Age Purchase Age
Afghanistan illegal[1]
Armenia none
Azerbaijan 21[1]
Brunei illegal[1]
Bangladesh illegal[12]
Cambodia none[13]
Cyprus 15[3]
People's Republic of China 21[1] Introduced in January 2006.[14]
Georgia none[1] 21[1]
Hong Kong 21[1]
India 21–25 (varies between states eg. 25 in Delhi).[1] Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Gujarat, Manipur and Mizoram.[15] However, minors generally have easy access to alcohol.
Indonesia none[1] 16[1]
Iran illegal[16] Legal for certain religious groups if required for ceremonies.
Iraq 21[1]
Israel 21[1]
Jordan 21[17]
Japan 21[1]
Kuwait illegal[18]
Lebanon 21[1]
Macau none[1] none[1][19]
Malaysia none[1] 21[1]
Mongolia 21[20]
North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) 21[1] Alcoholic beverages are served on Saturdays.
Pakistan Illegal, 21 for non-Muslims [1]
Philippines 21[1] 21[21]
Saudi Arabia illegal Forbidden by Sharia (Islamic Law, with qur'anic and other traditional legal inspirations). Offenders are typically punished with lashes.
Singapore 18[1]
South Korea (Republic of Korea) 21[1] Anyone who will be over 21by the end of the year can drink and purchase alcohol.
Sri Lanka 21[1] Drinking laws in Sri Lanka aren't followed through thoroughly and minors are able to purchase alcohol from supermarkets, pubs and clubs easily.
Taiwan 18[22]
  • It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21to consume alcohol.[23]
  • Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 shall prohibit underage drinking,[24] or risk administrative fines of 10000 to 50000 new Taiwan dollars when the situations are serious.[25]
  • One shall not supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 6.[26] A violator shall be administratively fined 3000 to 15000 new Taiwan dollars.[27]
Tajikstan 21[1]
Thailand none 21[1]
Turkey 21 Some new laws were introduced since 2005, by the AK Parti government.[28][29][30][31]

A minimum of 16 years of age are allowed to drink non-distilled beverages while being accompanied by parents.[citation needed] Most shop keepers in Turkey don't check ID, nor give a second thought before selling to under aged persons.

Turkmenistan 21[1]
United Arab Emirates 21 Expatriate, non-Muslim residents may request a liquor permit to purchase alcoholic beverages; it is illegal for such holders to provide drinks to others.[32]
Yemen illegal

Europe

Country / region De jure Notes
Drinking Age Purchase Age
Albania none
Austria 16, 18 for distilled beverages in some states Upper Austria, Salzburg and Tirol prohibit the consumption of distilled beverages below the age of 18, while Carinthia and Styria prohibit drinks containing more than 12% or 14% of alcohol respectively in this age bracket. Carinthia additionally requires adolescents to maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05%, while Upper Austria prohibits "excessive consumption", and Salzburg prohibits consumption that would result in a state of intoxication. Prohibitions in Vienna, Burgenland, Lower Austria and Vorarlberg apply only to alcohol consumption in public. Vienna additionally prohibits the consumption of alcohol in schools under the age of 18.[33]
Belarus 18
Belgium (Bars etc.) 16 / 18 for distilled & strong spirits (>22%) 16 / 18 for distilled & strong spirits (>22%)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 16 18
Bulgaria 18 Usually not asked for an ID.
Croatia 18
Cyprus 17
Czech Republic 18[34]
Denmark none 16 (Shops), 18 (Bars) To buy alcohol in stores one must be 16, however some bars have a limit at 18. There is no drinking age, only a purchase age, and an adult can buy alcohol for a minor. By tradition youths are privately allowed to drink alcohol after their confirmation.[35] If a shop or bar fails to ask for an ID-card and they are identified having sold alcohol to an underage, they are fined. A national ID-card, obtained in the local town hall, can serve as age verification.[36] This card is rarely used though, since a passport or moped-licence can be used.[37]
Estonia 18
Finland 18 (up to 22%), 20 (all alcohol) 18 (up to 22% ABV in stores and all alcohol in bars), 20 (all alcohol); alcohol may not be sold to intoxicated customers.
France 18
Germany none 16, 18 for distilled beverages[38] Possession or consumption of alcohol by minors is not outlawed, but it is illegal to sell them alcohol or let them drink in public below the respective drinking age. Fermented alcoholic beverages may be consumed by minors in public when in presence of a legal guardian; drinking in private is not controlled. The restrictions on distilled beverages apply also to mixed drinks containing them.[38]
Gibraltar none 16
Greece none none (Shops), 17 (Bars) Not strictly enforced, ID not usually required
Hungary 18 18
Iceland 20[39] Possession or consumption of alcohol by minors is not an offence but supplying them with alcohol is. However, law allows alcohol possessed by a minor to be confiscated.
Republic of Ireland 18 in public, 14 in private [40] 18[40] It shall not be unlawful for a person (other than the holder of a licence of licensed premises) to purchase or deliver intoxicating liquor for consumption by a person under the age of 18 years in a private residence with the explicit consent of that person's parent or guardian.
Italy none none, 16 (limit to get served alcoholic drinks in public places) South Tyrol prohibits both serving and purchase for people under the age of 16 and to everybody in a state of inebriation[41]. Milan has enforced a ban on under 16's purchasing alcohol. Heavy fines are given to propieters and parents if a transaction is completed.
Liechtenstein 16 for wine, beer and cider
18 for spirits & spirit-based beverages. eg. alcopops 		Wine, beer and ciders as well as some other party drinks which may not contain spirits can be purchased by the age of 16. Spirits as well as alcopops can be sold only to people above the age of 18.[42]
Luxembourg 16
Latvia 18
Lithuania 18
Macedonia 18
Malta 16 17 Identification Document Mandatory.
Moldova No minimum age (beer),
18 (wine and spirits)
Montenegro none 18
Netherlands 16 in pubs or cafes, drinking in public is not allowed. 16 (under 15% ABV),
18 (15% ABV and over)
Norway none[43] 18 (under 22% ABV),
20 (over 22% ABV) 		Drinking age is often erroneously perceived by the public as being 18 even though minors consuming alcohol are never held criminally responsible.
Poland none 18 Usually asked for an ID, but not very strongly when with adult.
Portugal none 16 (will be changing to 18 soon)
Romania none 18 Usually not asked for an ID.
Russia 18 Minors can sometimes buy alcoholic drinks from stores, not always enforced.
Serbia none none
Slovakia 18 18
Slovenia none 18
Spain 16
Sweden 18 (bars and restaurants) 20 (Systembolaget[44] stores)

18 (beer with 2.25%–3.5% ABV in normal shops)

See also alcohol in Sweden. Bars/clubs often voluntarily choose to have higher age limits than 18, commonly 20 or 23.
Switzerland 16-18 (varies from canton to canton; 18 in Basel-Stadt)
Turkey 18 Some new laws were introduced since 2005, by the AK Parti government.[28][45][46][47]

A minimum of 16 years of age are allowed to drink non-distilled beverages while being accompanied by parents.[citation needed] Most shop keepers in Turkey don't check ID, nor give a second thought before selling to under aged persons.

Ukraine 18[1]
United Kingdom

5 (in private)

16 (in public with a meal)

18 otherwise

16 (liqueur chocolates)

18 otherwise

Children under 5 must not be given alcohol unless under medical supervision or in an emergency (Children and Young Persons Act 1933, Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937).[48][49]. However, children aged 5 and over may legally consume alcohol in their own home or someone else's as long as they are under the supervision of an adult.

The minimum age for the purchase of alcohol is 18. People aged 16 and 17 may consume wine, beer or cider on licensed premises (pubs/bars/restaurants) with a table meal. In England & Wales, an adult must order.[50] In Scotland, no adult is required to be present.[51][52] The legal age for the purchase of alcohol from an off-licence (store/supermarket) is 18 (16 for liqueur chocolates).

Purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor is illegal in Scotland, England and Wales. This means acting as the young person's agent.[53][54]

Oceania

Country / region De jure Notes
Drinking Age Purchase Age
American Samoa (U.S.) 18
Australia 18 Liquor laws vary by state. See Alcohol laws of Australia for more details.
Fiji 18 Was 21 from 2006-2009. Lowered to 18 on May 19, 2009. Very loosely enforced. [55]
Guam (U.S.) 18
New Zealand 18 18 Although there are laws prohibiting alcohol purchase by any person under 18 years of age, to actually drink alcohol (without the element of purchasing) is NOT currently an offence. Usually any person under 18 without a guardian who is found consuming alcohol in a public place will have the drink removed and if intoxicated will be returned to their home, or be held by police until sober. On 8 November 2006 the New Zealand Parliament rejected a bill to return the legal age to 20[56] after significant lobbying by the Keepit18 group[57] and others. Due to the new "party rule", if there is any person under the age of 18 present while alcohol is being brought in a shop, the shop must refuse to sell the alcohol. This does not apply if the person under 18 is the child or dependant of the purchaser.
Northern Mariana Islands (U.S.) 21
Palau 21
Papua New Guinea 18
Samoa 16
Solomon Islands none
Tonga 18
Tokelau 18
Vanuatu 18

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by "Minimum Drinking and Purchasing Age Laws". International Center for Alcohol Policies. 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "icap" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Egypt
  3. ^ a b c "Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy - Country Profiles". World Health Organization.
  4. ^ a b "Minimum Legal Ages for Alcohol Purchase or Consumption Around the World". World Health Organization.
  5. ^ Alberta Gaming and Liquor Act section 87.3
  6. ^ "Liquor Licence Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.19". E-laws.gov.on.ca. 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  7. ^ Drinking Age Limits - International Center for Alcohol Policies
  8. ^ [1] - In British Columbia, as confirmed in 2006, only children of the parents supervising are allowed underage drinking, not any other miniors. This may be true for other provinces as well. In Quebec and Alberta, the legal drinking age is 21.
  9. ^ http://www.grsproadsafety.org/themes/default/pdfs/Drinking%20Age%20Limits.pdf.
  10. ^ Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Possession of Alcohol as of January 1, 2007, Alcohol Policy Information System
  11. ^ Judge: State law barring underage drinking is unconstitutional
  12. ^ "Bangladesh" (PDF). Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004. World Health Organization. 2004. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  13. ^ "Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Cambodia" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  14. ^ China bans under-age drinking, China Daily, 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  15. ^ "Alcohol Prohibition and Addictive Consumption in India" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  16. ^ "Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Islamic Republic of Iran" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  17. ^ "Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Jordan" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  18. ^ Who Are The Abstainers? (PDF), International Center for Alcohol Policies, June 2000
  19. ^ "Food and Drink". Worldtravelguide.net. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  20. ^ Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Mongolia
  21. ^ Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Philippines
  22. ^ Article 2 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law (zh:兒童及少年福利法) of the Republic of China, effective since 2003-05-28 in Taiwan Area, defines children and youth as people under the age of 18.
  23. ^ Clause 1 of Section 1 of Article 26 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law (zh:兒童及少年福利法) of the Republic of China, effective since 2003-05-28 in Taiwan Area
  24. ^ Section 2 of Article 26 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China
  25. ^ Section 1 of Article 55 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China
  26. ^ Section 3 of Article 26 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China
  27. ^ Section 2 of Article 55 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China
  28. ^ a b Turkey: Alcohol ban in government cafes and restaurants Friday, November 25 2005 @ 09:38 AM Central Standard Time. TURKS.us
  29. ^ Secular Turkey is angered by spectre of alcohol-free zones By Elizabeth Davies. Thursday, 15 December 2005. The Independent
  30. ^ Turkey's Islamist-rooted AKP to propose new bans on alcohol Hurriyet News
  31. ^ New alcohol law prompts fears for Turkish bar trade Robert Tait in Istanbul. The Guardian, Friday 16 May 2008
  32. ^ "International Drinking Guidelines". International Center for Alcohol Policies. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
  33. ^ information based on the respective state Youth Protection Laws, available at [2], as of December 11, 2007
  34. ^ "International Center for Alcohol Policies: Age Laws Table". Icap.org. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  35. ^ "Alcohol culture in Denmark". Alcoholcultureindenmark.webbyen.dk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  36. ^ "Lov om forbud mod salg af tobak og alkohol til personer under 16 år" (in dk).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  37. ^ Få unge har købt legitimationskort, Danmarks Radio, 01. jul. 2006
  38. ^ a b German law for the protection of minors
  39. ^ Practical Information School for Renewable Engergy Science, Iceland
  40. ^ a b ]
  41. ^ "Autonomous Province of Bozen/Bolzano-South Tyrol - Press release of the Department for Health (in Italian)". Provinz.bz.it. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  42. ^ "Jugendgesetz vom 19. Dezember 1979" (PDF). Gesetze.li. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  43. ^ "Proposition to Odelstinget rejecting the idea of holding minors criminally responsible for the purchase or consumption of alcohol". Regjeringen.no. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  44. ^ "Systembolaget - Rules on selling". Systembolaget.se. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  45. ^ Secular Turkey is angered by spectre of alcohol-free zones By Elizabeth Davies. Thursday, 15 December 2005. The Independent
  46. ^ Turkey's Islamist-rooted AKP to propose new bans on alcohol Hurriyet News
  47. ^ New alcohol law prompts fears for Turkish bar trade Robert Tait in Istanbul. The Guardian, Friday 16 May 2008
  48. ^ "Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c.12) - Statute Law Database". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  49. ^ "Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 (c.37), section 16 - Statute Law Database". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  50. ^ Consumption of alcohol by children, Section 150, Licensing Act 2003
  51. ^ "Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976, section 68". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  52. ^ "Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, section 105". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  53. ^ publisher= Department of Culture Media and SportChapter12 Sale and Supply of Alcohol to Children }}
  54. ^ "Alcohol: under aged drinking - law". InfoScotland.com.
  55. ^ "State lowers legal drink age - Fiji Times Online". Fijitimes.com. 2009-05-20. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  56. ^ Strong vote against bill to raise drinking age, NZ Herald, November 8, 2006. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  57. ^ MPs back off from drinking age hike, NZ Herald, November 4, 2006. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
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