Misplaced Pages

Legal drinking age

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 63.138.132.20 (talk) at 13:59, 28 April 2010 (→External links). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 13:59, 28 April 2010 by 63.138.132.20 (talk) (→External links)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Map showing the legal age for buying alcohol around the World   No laws (15 years and younger)   16-17 years and older   18-19 years and older   20-21+ years and older   Illegal   Data not available

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 from 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 in general, from countries in Europe where people may consume alcoholic beverages from a young age, generally sixteen or seventeen, to states in India where the drinking age is as high as twenty-five. Some Islamic nations prohibit alcohol consumption by Muslims, and others by anyone.

Africa

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2008)
Country/region De Jure Notes
Drinking Age Purchase Age
Botswana 16
Cameroon 18 21 18 on-premise, 21 off-premise
Egypt 18
Eritrea 16
Ethiopia 18
Gambia ?
Ghana 18
Malawi 18
Mauritius none
Morocco none 16
Namibia 18
Niger 18
Nigeria 18
Rwanda 18
South Africa 18
Swaziland none 18
Sudan 16
Uganda 18
Tunisia 15
Zambia 16
Zimbabwe 16

Americas

This article may require cleanup to meet Misplaced Pages's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this article if you can. (May 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Country / region De jure Notes
Drinking Age Purchase Age
Argentina none 18
Bahamas 18
Belize 18
Bermuda 18
Bolivia 18
Brazil 18
Canada 18 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.
19 In British Columbia the legal drinking age is 19. Underage drinking under parental supervision is permitted with some restrictions on own property in the provinces of New Brunswick and Ontario and at home in the provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. (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.)
Chile 18
Colombia 18
Costa Rica 18
Cuba none 18
Dominican Republic 18
Ecuador 18
El Salvador 18
Guatemala 18
Haiti 16
Honduras 18
Jamaica 18
Mexico 18
Nicaragua 19
Panama 18
Paraguay 20
Peru none 18
Puerto Rico 18
United States
(50 states and D.C.) 		21

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 21. 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).

By a judge's ruling, South Carolina appears to currently allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by those 18–20 years of age, though a circuit court judge said otherwise.

Uruguay 18
Venezuela 18

Asia

Country / region De jure Notes
Drinking Age Purchase Age
Afghanistan illegal
Armenia none
Azerbaijan 18
Brunei illegal
Bangladesh illegal
Cambodia none
People's Republic of China 18 Introduced in January 2006.
Georgia none 16
Hong Kong 18
India 18–25 (varies between states; e.g., 25 in Delhi). Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Manipur, Mizoram and Gujarat.
Indonesia 15/16+ 21 is advised drinking age
Iran illegal Legal for certain religious groups if required for ceremonies.
Israel 18
Jordan 18
Japan 20
Kuwait illegal
Lebanon 18
Macau none none
Malaysia none 18
Mongolia 18
Nepal 18 None
North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) 18 Alcoholic beverages are served on Saturdays.
Oman 21
Pakistan Illegal, 21 for non-Muslims
Philippines 18
Saudi Arabia illegal Forbidden by Sharia (Islamic Law, with qur'anic and other traditional legal inspirations). Offenders are typically punished with lashes.
Singapore 18
South Korea (Republic of Korea) 19 If the person is 20 years old in Korean age, one can drink. (18-19 in universal age, it means if he/she becoming 19 in the same year, even if he/she is 18 years old, he/she will be able to drink)
Sri Lanka 21
Taiwan 18
  • It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to consume alcohol.
  • Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 shall prohibit underage drinking, or risk administrative fines of 10000 to 50000 new Taiwan dollars when the situations are serious.
  • One shall not supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 6. A violator shall be administratively fined 3000 to 15000 new Taiwan dollars.
Tajikstan 21
Thailand none 20 Prohibition of sales in shops is only strictly enforced by shops owned under enterprises e.g. 7-Eleven, Tesco, Carrefour, etc. Grocery stores are usually lenient if the person looks to be over 18 although legal purchase age is 20 (ID checks rare or none at all). There is no penalty for alcohol consumption in underage persons. Persons under 20 years of age may not enter clubs.
Turkey 18 Some new laws were introduced since 2005, by the AK Parti government.

A minimum of 16 years of age are allowed to drink non-distilled beverages while being accompanied by parents.

Turkmenistan 18
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.
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.
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
Croatia 18
Cyprus 17
Czech Republic 18
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. 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. This card is rarely used though, since a passport or moped-licence can be used.
Estonia 18
Finland 18 (bars and restaurants), adult discretion in private 18 (up to 22% ABV in stores and all alcohol in bars), 20 (all alcohol); alcohol may not be sold to intoxicated customers. Age limits apply to purchase and possession. Police may search minors in public places and confiscate or destroy alcoholic beverages. Adults are responsible for alcohol use by minors in private.
France none 18 Buying alcohol is illegal below the age of 18. Selling alcohol to a minor can be fined €7,500. The law has been changed recently. Drinking alcohol is not forbidden to minors in private, but supplying them with alcohol that results in intoxication is.
Germany 16, 18 for distilled beverage,14 together with parents 16, 18 for distilled beverages 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.
Gibraltar none 16
Greece none none (Shops), 17 (Bars)
Hungary 18 18
Iceland 20 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 no minimum age aslong as its under parental guidance and not in a public place 18
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. Milan has enforced a ban on under 16's purchasing alcohol. Heavy fines are given to proprieters and parents if a transaction is completed.
Liechtenstein 16 for wine, beer and cider
18 for spirits & spirit-based beverages. e.g. alcopops 		Wine, beer and ciders as well as some other party drinks that 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.
Luxembourg 16
Latvia 18
Lithuania 18
Macedonia 18
Malta 16, drinking in public is not allowed. 17 Identification document mandatory.
Moldova No minimum age (beer),
18 (wine and spirits)
Montenegro none 18
Netherlands 16 in pubs or cafes 16 (under 15% ABV),
18 (15% ABV and over) 		Buyers must show id. if under age of 20. Drinking in public is not allowed. Selling alcohol to underaged customers carries a fine of €900–3,600.
Norway none 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, but those supplying them with alcohol are. However, law allows alcohol possessed by a minor to be confiscated. Drinking in public is prohibited in Norway.
Poland 18 18
Portugal 16 18
Romania none 18
Russia 18
Serbia none none There is no law that regulates the minimum drinking or purchase age, but some stores display notices saying that the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors is prohibited.
Slovakia 18 18
Slovenia none 18
Spain 18.
Sweden 18 (bars and restaurants) 20 (Systembolaget stores),

18 (beer with 2.25%–3.5% ABV in normal shops), none (less than 2.25% ABV)

See also alcohol in Sweden. Bars/clubs often voluntarily choose to have higher age limits than 18, commonly 20 or 23. It is not illegal to drink below 18, but it is illegal to sell, lend or give alcohol to someone under age, and the police can seize alcohol from them. It is legal to give alcohol as a gift to an underage for consumption on location, in a reasonable manner.
Switzerland 16 (for beer, wine and cider), 18 (for spirits, liquor and alcopops)
Turkey 18 Some new laws were introduced since 2005, by the AK Parti government.

A minimum of 16 years of age are allowed to drink non-distilled beverages while being accompanied by parents.

Ukraine 18
United Kingdom

5 (in private)

16 (in public with a meal and accompanied by an adult)

18 (otherwise)

18 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). However, children aged 5 and over may legally consume alcohol in their own or someone else's home as long as they have permission from an adult.

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

Under the BBPA's Challenge 21 scheme, customers attempting to buy alcoholic beverages are asked to prove their age if in the retailer's opinion they look under 21, even though they are only 18. Many supermarket and off-licence chains display Challenge 21 notices stating that they will not serve persons who look under 21 without ID.

There is also a new "Challenge 25" scheme being rolled out in some parts of England.

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

Oceania

Country / region De jure Notes
Drinking Age Purchase Age
American Samoa (US) 21
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.
Guam (U.S.) 18
Micronesia 21
New Zealand none 18 There is no minimum drinking age, but all persons under 18 years must be supplied with alcohol only by their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). 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. Due to the new "party rule", if there is any person under the age of 18 present while alcohol is being bought in a shop, the shop may refuse to sell the alcohol (unless 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. ^ "Minimum Drinking and Purchasing Age Laws". International Center for Alcohol Policies. May 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  2. Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Egypt
  3. ^ "Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy - Country Profiles". World Health Organization.
  4. ^ "Minimum Legal Ages for Alcohol Purchase or Consumption Around the World". World Health Organization.
  5. Alberta Gaming and Liquor Act section 87.3
  6. Ontario Liquor Law Section 30.13
  7. "Liquor Licence Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.19". E-laws.gov.on.ca. 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  8. Drinking Age Limits - International Center for Alcohol Policies
  9. - In British Columbia, as confirmed in 2006, only children of the parents supervising are allowed underage drinking, not any other minors.
  10. http://www.grsproadsafety.org/themes/default/pdfs/Drinking%20Age%20Limits.pdf.
  11. Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Possession of Alcohol as of January 1, 2009, Alcohol Policy Information System
  12. Judge: State law barring underage drinking is unconstitutional
  13. Institute for War and Peace Reporting (2009-06-17). "Drinkers Dismissive of Latest Alcohol Ban". ARR No. 322. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  14. "Bangladesh" (PDF). Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004. World Health Organization. 2004. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  15. "Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Cambodia" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  16. China bans under-age drinking, China Daily, 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  17. "Alcohol Prohibition and Addictive Consumption in India" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  18. "Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Islamic Republic of Iran" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  19. "Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Jordan" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  20. Who Are The Abstainers? (PDF), International Center for Alcohol Policies, June 2000
  21. "Food and Drink". Worldtravelguide.net. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  22. Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Mongolia
  23. Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Philippines
  24. 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.
  25. 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
  26. Section 2 of Article 26 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China
  27. Section 1 of Article 55 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China
  28. Section 3 of Article 26 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China
  29. Section 2 of Article 55 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China
  30. ^ Turkey: Alcohol ban in government cafes and restaurants Friday, November 25, 2005 @ 09:38 AM Central Standard Time. TURKS.us
  31. ^ Secular Turkey is angered by spectre of alcohol-free zones By Elizabeth Davies. Thursday, 15 December 2005. The Independent
  32. ^ Turkey's Islamist-rooted AKP to propose new bans on alcohol Hurriyet News
  33. ^ New alcohol law prompts fears for Turkish bar trade Robert Tait in Istanbul. The Guardian, Friday 16 May 2008
  34. "International Drinking Guidelines". International Center for Alcohol Policies. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
  35. information based on the respective state Youth Protection Laws, available at , as of December 11, 2007
  36. "International Center for Alcohol Policies: Age Laws Table". Icap.org. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  37. "Alcohol culture in Denmark". Alcoholcultureindenmark.webbyen.dk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  38. "Lov om forbud mod salg af tobak og alkohol til personer under 16 år" (in dk).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  39. Få unge har købt legitimationskort, Danmarks Radio, 01. July 2006
  40. Alcoholic beverages act http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/1994/19941143?search=pika&search=alkoholi
  41. French Public Health Code, Art L3342-1
  42. French Public Health Code, Art L3353-3
  43. Law passed on 23 July 2009.
  44. French Public Health Code, Art L3353-4.
  45. ^ German law for the protection of minors
  46. Practical Information School for Renewable Engergy Science, Iceland
  47. "Autonomous Province of Bozen/Bolzano-South Tyrol - Press release of the Department for Health (in Italian)". Provinz.bz.it. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  48. "Jugendgesetz vom 19. Dezember 1979" (PDF). Gesetze.li. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  49. "Proposition to Odelstinget rejecting the idea of holding minors criminally responsible for the purchase or consumption of alcohol". Regjeringen.no. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  50. "Systembolaget - Rules on selling". Systembolaget.se. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  51. ^ Alkohollag (1994:1738) 3 kap 9 §
  52. "Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c.12) - Statute Law Database". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  53. "Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 (c.37), section 16 - Statute Law Database". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  54. Consumption of alcohol by children, Section 150, Licensing Act 2003
  55. "Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976, section 68". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  56. "Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, section 105". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  57. publisher= Department of Culture Media and Sport Chapter12 Sale and Supply of Alcohol to Children
  58. "Alcohol: under aged drinking - law". InfoScotland.com.
  59. "State lowers legal drink age - Fiji Times Online". Fijitimes.com. 2009-05-20. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  60. "Sale of Liquor Act 1989" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-01-14.

External links

Lists of countries by laws and law enforcement rankings
Age of
Drugs and
alcohol
Death
Guns
Punishment
Policing
Obscenity
Reproduction
Censorship
Human rights
Freedom of movement
Property and
environment
Business
Violence
International
ownership
Other

so anyways this should be encated due to the part of the sentnce that states the word.

Categories: