Legal Drinking Age

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Legal Drinking Age

The legal drinking age for different countries varies dramatically, from 0 to 21, as seen in the table below. The United States has the highest drinking age in the world.

The Problem

Dr. Ruth Clifford Engs of Indiana University, an internationally-known health educator and alcohol researcher, believes that the minimum drinking age of 21 in the US is too high.
Dr. David J. Hanson of the State University of New York at Potsdam evaluates research regarding the effectiveness of age 21 minimum age legislation.

The Solution

The world's leading anthropologist of drinking, Dr. Dwight B. Heath of Brown University, recommends: Teach Safe Drinking to Your College Bound Teen.
Sociologist Dr. David J. Hanson explains why It's Better to Teach Safe Use of Alcohol.
Educational leader Dr. Roderic B. Park proposes that we create Drinking "Learner Permits" for Under-Age Persons.

The problem of identifying the optimum drinking age to reduce alcohol abuse is likely to continue. It involves issues of freedom, responsibility, parental rights, religion, politics and many other realms of life. And it is a very important problem so let the discussion begin.

World Drinking Ages
No Minimum	Age 16	Age 18	Age 19	Age 20	Age 21
Armenia	Antigua	Argentina	South Korea	Japan	(UNITED STATES)
Azerbaijan	Austria	Barbados		Iceland
China	Belgium	Bermuda
Fiji	France	British Virgin Islands
Nigeria	Germany*	Chile
Poland*	Greece*	Czech Republic
Portugal	Italy	Estonia
Soviet Georgia	Netherlands*	Hong Kong
Thailand	Norway*	Indonesia
Viet Nam	Poland	Jamaica
	Spain*	Israel
	Turkey*	Latvia
	Switzerland*	Luxembourg (age 17 with an adult)
		Mexico
		Mongolia
		Phillipines
		Russia
		Slovak Republic
		South Africa
		United Kingdom (age 16 in restaurants)
		Uruguay
		Australia
		Bahamas
		Brazil
		Canada (age 19 in some provinces)
		Colombia
		Denmark
		Finland*
		Hungary
		Ireland
		Jamaica
		Lithuania
		Malaysia
		Moldova
		New Zealand*
		Peru
		Puerto Rico
		St. Maarten
		Slovenia
		Sweden*
		Turkmenistan
		Ukraine
		Venezuela

* with exceptions

The US is placed in parentheses because, while it is commonly believed that the minimum drinking age is 21, people can legally drink below that age under many different circumstances.

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their minimum purchase and public possession of alcohol age to 21. States that did not comply faced a reduction in highway funds under the Federal Highway Aid Act.... It does not prohibit persons under 21 (also called youth or minors) from drinking. The term "public possession" is strictly defined and does not apply to possession for the following:

An established religious purpose, when accompanied by a parent, spouse or legal guardian age 21 or older
Medical purposes when prescribed or administered by a licensed physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, hospital or medical institution
In private clubs or establishments
In the course of lawful employment by a duly licensed manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer.” 1

Many of the states that have chosen to specifically prohibit alcohol consumption by those under age 21 have a variety of exceptions. For example,

Some States allow an exception for consumption when a family member consents and/or is present. States vary widely in terms of which relatives may consent or must be present for this exception to apply and in what circumstances the exception applies. Sometimes a reference is made simply to "family" or "family member" without further elaboration.

....

Some States allow an exception for consumption on private property. States vary in the extent of the private property exception which may extend to all private locations, private residences only, or in the home of a parent or guardian only. In some jurisdictions, the location exception is conditional on the presence and/or consent of the parent, legal guardian, or legal-age spouse.

Some States also allow exceptions for educational purposes (e.g., students in culinary schools), religious purposes (e.g., sacramental use of alcoholic beverages), or medical purposes. 2

Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Consumption of Alcohol as of August 5, 2005 3

Note: This map is based on statutes and regulations only. It does does not include exceptions created by case law (judicial decisions), custom, or application of constitutional protections.

Laws are constantly changing and efforts are made to provide accurate and current information. However, this information cannot be guaranteed as to accuracy, is not intended as legal opinion or advice, and is not a substitute for the services of an attorney. Those in need of information about the application of law to their circumstances are encouraged to consult a qualified lawyer.

Alcohol: Problems and Solutions

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