Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Drinking Age shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Drinking Age offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Drinking Age at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Drinking Age? Wrong! If the Drinking Age is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Drinking Age then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Drinking Age? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Drinking Age and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Drinking Age wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Drinking Age then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Drinking Age site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Drinking Age, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Drinking Age, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
The
legal drinking age is a limit assigned by governments to restrict the access of
children and
youth to
alcoholic beverages. In most countries the legal age to purchase alcohol is at least 18, but there are notable exceptions. Laws on consumption of alcoholic beverages vary even more widely. In some countries all alcoholic beverages are illegal, often due to religious law.
Africa
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / Region! colspan=2 |
De jure! rowspan=2 ]| align=center| No minimum
#General references| align=center| 18[#General references
||-| [Cameroon| align=center| No minimum#General references||-| [Egypt| align=center| 18, 21#General references| For purchases, legal age is 18 for beer, 21 for everything else.|-| [Eritrea||-| Ethiopia||-| Ghana|-| Kenya||-| Malawi||-| Mauritius||-| Namibia| align=center| 18
#General references||-| [Niger| align=center| 18
#General references||-|[Nigeria| align=center| 18
#General references||-|[South Africa||-|Uganda||-| Zambia| align=center| 18#General references||-| [Zimbabwe| align=center| No minimum[#General references||}
The Americas
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / region! colspan=2 |
De jure! rowspan=2 ]| colspan=2 align=center|16||-|
Argentina| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Barbados| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Bermuda| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Brazil| colspan=2 align=center| 18| in [Alberta,
Manitoba and Quebec;] and at home in
Prince Edward Island,
Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta,
British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Drinking Age Limits - International Center for Alcohol Policies Legal drinking age legislation falls under provincial jurisdiction.]| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| Colombia| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Cuba| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Ecuador| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18||-| [Haiti| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-|[Jamaica| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Nicaragua| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Paraguay| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Puerto Rico| align=center| 21.| align=center| 21 (18 in a few military installations)| Financial incentives create de facto [United States federal law purchase age of 21. The
National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 states that revenue will be withheld from states that allow the purchase of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in
bar (establishment) (usually, the difference between a bar and a
restaurant is whether food is being served). Contrary to popular belief, since
National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, few states specifically prohibit
minors' consumption of alcohol in private settings (an exception includes Connecticut). In some cases or states, alcohol permits can be purchased at a cost to the parent or legal guardian. New York permits those under twenty-one to drink in restaurants provided that they are with a parent or guardian, the alcohol is poured (if applicable) by the parent or guardian, the parent or guardian hands the drink to the minor person, and the minor person is not seated at the bar.
As of 2006, 20
U. S. state do not specifically ban underage consumption and an additional 15 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.
Underage purchase of alcohol, though illegal in all fifty states, is not a federal offense, although restrictions on highway funding for states that allow it make it illegal federally de facto. See Underage drinking in the United States. Additionally, exceptions exist on certain military installations, for instance
Fort Bliss,
Texas, where the Commanding General lowered the age to 18 to reduce the number of soldiers traveling out of the country to nearby Ciudad_Juarez, Mexico, to drink.|-|
Trinidad and Tobago| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Venezuela| colspan=2 align=center|18||}
Asia
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / region! colspan=2 |
De jure! rowspan=2 ]| align=center| 14| align=center| 18||-|
Armenia|colspan=2 align=center|18|Muslims in Bahrain are not allowed to drink alcohol at any age. Non-Muslims may, but are forbidden to drink during [Ramadan. - LawGuru.com However, they only enforce drinking laws during Ramadan, and only at stand-alone bars. Saudi Arabian Muslims often go to Bahrain so that they can drink throughout the year. Additionally, even during Ramadan, most bars in hotels will continue to serve.]| align=center| no minimum age| align=center| 12|-|
Brunei| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18|Introduced in January, 2006. . Although the purchase age is legally 18, it is generally not observed for foreigners living in China.|-|[Georgia (country)| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18||-| Hong Kong|colspan=2 align=center|18- 25 varies between states. 19 in [Maharastra. 25 in Delhi.] and
Mizoram. In addition, alcohol consumption is also banned in some 'holy' cities. A 94 year old law in the Delhi state banning women bartenders was ruled unconstitutional by the Delhi High Court, but the state government's appeal is being heard at the Supreme Court.]| colspan=2 align=center| 18|align=center||-|
Iraq|colspan=2 align=center| Illegal to all, except for Jewish or Christian ceremonies| Only alcohol used for Jewish or Christian religious ceremonies is allowed.|-|[Israel|colspan=2 align=center| 18||-|[Japan|colspan=2 align=center|19|From January 1 of the year the person becomes 19|-|[Kuwait|colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Malaysia|colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Oman| colspan=2 align=center|21
|illegal for muslims. Forbidden by [Sharia (
Islamic Law, with
qur'anic and other traditional legal inspirations) .. but can be purchased in some areas of Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
]| colspan=2 align=center|18|-|
Qatar|colspan=2 align=center|no minimum age|-|[Saudi Arabia ([Islamic Law, with
qur'anic and other traditional legal inspirations)]| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|
Sri Lanka| colspan=2 align=center|18| Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 are required pursuant to the Children and Youth Welfare Law ([s:zh:兒童及少年福利法) to prohibit underage drinking or risk administrative fines when the situations are serious.|-|
Thailand| colspan=2 align=center|18| People under 18 years old are allowed to drink non-distilled beverages while being accompanied by parents. Also, minors cannot enter bars.|-|[United Arab Emirates laws state that no person under the age of 16 may be in a place serving alcohol after 18:00. Alcohol is only served in restaurants and bars attached to hotels.|-|[Vietnam|align=center|15|align=center|18||}
Europe
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / region! colspan=2 |
De jure! rowspan=2 ]| colspan=2 align=center|No minimum age||-|
Austria, [wine), 18 (
Distilled beverage)|from the age of 14 it is permitted to drink alcohol provided by parents|-|
Belarus| colspan=2 align=center| 16| No minimum age to drink in private.|-| [Bosnia and Herzegovina| colspan=2 align=center| 18|-| [Croatia| colspan=2 align=center| 16||-| [Czech Republic| align=center| No minimum age outside bars. In bars 18.| align=center| 16| If a shop fails to ask for an ID-card and they are identified having sold alcohol to an underage, they are fined. A national ID-card can be obtained in the local town hall in order for the youth to verify the youth age towards shops Law no. 213 af march 31, 2004. This card is rarely used though, since a passport or moped-licence can be used. Danish ID-card is rarely used In 2007 some churches have started a campaign against the old Danish custom of introducing alcohol for the youth in relationship with his or her religious confirmation (Age 13-15).|-| [Estonia| align=center| No legal drinking age, possession age same as purchase age| align=center| 18 (shops and [Alko stores up to 22% ABV and all alcohol in bars), 20 (over 22% ABV in
Alko stores); alcohol may not be sold to intoxicated customers.]| colspan=2 align=center| 16; for drinking strong liquor on premises: 18Code of public health: L3342-1 « all places providing beverages either for immediate consumption or not and all public places, it is prohibited to sell or offer alcoholic drinks to minors younger than 16, either for immediate consumption or for carrying away. ». L3342-2 further restricts sales for immediate consumptions of certain categories of alcoholic drinks to adults over 18; these categories include mostly all alcohols stronger than cider, beer or wine, as defined in L3321-1. L3342-3 prohibits receiving minors younger than 16 in premises selling alcohol unless they are with a parent, tutor, or other guardian over 18, except that minors at least 13 year old can be received in places selling only nonalcoholic or nearly nonalcoholic drinks (< 1.2°).| It is not customary to request identification, unless the person is manifestly of inappropriate age. It is, however, a crime to sell alcohol to a minor under 16. L3353-3 punishes sales of alcoholic drinks to minors under 16 by a fine, and also possibly imprisonment for repeat offenders. It is illegal for someone under the age of 16 to be at a bar without an adult, even if drinking a non-alcoholic drink.|-|
Germany| colspan=2 align=center| 16|-| [Greece| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18||-|[Iceland|colspan=2 align=center|18|By law, only a [passport,
driving licence or a
Garda Síochána age card is accepted as proof of age (although not always asked for in practice). Purchasing alcohol for a minor is illegal (except by parents for consumption at home).|-|Isle of Man it is only illegal for an adult to give alcohol to a child under 5 years, unless under medical supervision or you need it as if it is an emergency, but this gives an effective drinking age of 5. The age for buying and consumption of alcoholic beverages on licensed premises is 18; however, a person over the age of 16 may buy an alcoholic beverage with a substantial meal, as long as they are accompanied by a person over 18. - Alcohol Strategy -|-|[Italy|colspan=2 align=center|18 ||-|[Liechtenstein|colspan=2 align=center|16 / 18||-|[Latvia|colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Republic of Macedonia|colspan=2 align=center|18||-|Malta|colspan=2 align=center|No minimum age (beer),
18 (wine and spirits)||-|[Montenegro|align=center|No minimum age|align=center|16 (under 15% ABV),
18 (15% ABV and over)|If a shop fails to ask for an ID-card and they are identified having sold alcohol to an underage, they are fined. No minimum age to drink in private with a parent/guardian.|-|[Norway.|-| [Poland| colspan=2 align=center|16|If a shop fails to ask for an ID-card and they are identified having sold alcohol to an underage, they are fined. People suffering from [mental illness or already extremely inebriated cannot purchase or obtain alcoholic beverages.]| align=center| No minimum age| align=center|18| Sale of all distilled spirits is illegal for those under 18. Advertising distilled alcohol is forbidden during the day (between 5:00 and 22:00). All restrictions apply on sale and distribution to underage persons, not consumption.|-|
Russia| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Slovakia| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18||-|[Spain, 18.|-|[Sweden stores) | See also [alcohol in Sweden. Bars/clubs often voluntarily choose to have higher age limits than 18, commonly 20 or 23.]| colspan=2 align=center|16 for wine, beer and cider
16-18 (varies from canton to canton) for spirits & spirit-based cocktails ie. alcopops| colspan=2 align=center|18|-|[United Kingdom| align=center|5| align=center|18 (16)|The legal age to purchase alcohol is 18. People aged 16 and 17, with the licensee's permission, may consume wine, beer or cider with a table meal in specific areas of the premises, providing they're with an adult and the adult orders it. The legal age for the purchase of liqueur chocolates is 16. The legal age for drinking in one's home is 5 provided parental consent is given. Children under 5 must not be given alcohol unless for medical or religious reasons.|}
Oceania
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / region! colspan=2 | De jure! rowspan=2 ]| align=center| 18| align=center| 18| It is illegal to buy, drink or possess alcohol if under 18 on licensed premises, but states allow drinking or possessing alcohol on private premises for people under the age of 18 (under the supervision of an adult). In NSW there is no law against minors possessing or drinking alcohol on private premises, but there are laws against supplying or selling alcohol to a minor, as well as against minors "carrying away" alcohol from a licensed club. - Section 115 of the Liquor Act 1982 (NSW) - Underage drinking offences, NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing]Minors may be on licensed premises accompanied by a parent or guardian (but not purchase alcohol) and parents can not provide alcohol with a meal on licensed premises. In Victoria, if a minor is caught with alcohol it will be confiscated and guardians notified of the offense, and a fine may occur. It is also illegal to provide minors with alcohol, and one can be fined by it if caught in the act. It is illegal to buy alcohol if already drunk, and to supply alcohol to such a person. Alcohol and young people - New South Wales police|-| Fiji| colspan=2 align=center| 18 On N.Islands is 21||-| [Palau| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Vanuatu| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Tokelau| align=center| 18| align=center| 18| Alcohol can only be sold by licensed premises but there is no obligation to serve any person. It is illegal to purchase alcohol if already drunk. Drinking on public transport is prohibited, unless the vehicle (e.g. ship, train) holds a liquor license. ** Minors (under 18's) can be fined if they drink alcohol in public places, without a parent or guardian present. Minors can drink alcohol in a public place if they are accompanied and it is provided by their parent or guardian; this includes licensed premises, such as restaurants, and at private social gatherings, but excludes designated restricted areas, where under 18's are not permitted. While there are extensive 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. On [8 November
2006 the New Zealand Parliament rejected a bill to return the legal age to 20 after significant lobbying by the Keepit18 group and others.]| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|
Papua New Guinea| colspan=2 align=center|18||-| [American Samoa| colspan=i like boobs align=center|18||-
|}
General references
A.
B.
Specific references
External links
- MADD Online: Stats & Resources
The
legal drinking age is a limit assigned by governments to restrict the access of
children and
youth to alcoholic beverages. In most countries the legal age to purchase alcohol is at least 18, but there are notable exceptions. Laws on consumption of alcoholic beverages vary even more widely. In some countries all alcoholic beverages are illegal, often due to religious law.
Africa
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / Region! colspan=2 | De jure! rowspan=2 ]| align=center| No minimum
#General references| align=center| 18[#General references
||-| [Cameroon| align=center| No minimum
#General references||-| [Egypt| align=center| 18, 21#General references| For purchases, legal age is 18 for beer, 21 for everything else.|-| [Eritrea||-|
Ethiopia||-| Ghana|-| Kenya||-|
Malawi||-|
Mauritius||-| Namibia| align=center| 18#General references||-| [Niger| align=center| 18
#General references||-|[Nigeria| align=center| 18#General references||-|[South Africa||-|
Uganda||-|
Zambia| align=center| 18#General references||-| [Zimbabwe| align=center| No minimum[#General references||}
The Americas
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / region! colspan=2 |
De jure! rowspan=2 ]| colspan=2 align=center|16||-| Argentina| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Barbados| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Bermuda| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Brazil| colspan=2 align=center| 18| in [Alberta,
Manitoba and
Quebec;] and at home in
Prince Edward Island,
Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta,
British Columbia,
Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Drinking Age Limits - International Center for Alcohol Policies Legal drinking age legislation falls under provincial jurisdiction.]| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| Colombia| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Cuba| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Ecuador| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18||-| [Haiti| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-|[Jamaica| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Nicaragua| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Paraguay| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Puerto Rico| align=center| 21.| align=center| 21 (18 in a few military installations)| Financial incentives create de facto [United States federal law purchase age of 21. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 states that revenue will be withheld from states that allow the purchase of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in bar (establishment) (usually, the difference between a bar and a restaurant is whether food is being served). Contrary to popular belief, since National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, few states specifically prohibit
minors' consumption of alcohol in private settings (an exception includes Connecticut). In some cases or states, alcohol permits can be purchased at a cost to the parent or legal guardian. New York permits those under twenty-one to drink in restaurants provided that they are with a parent or guardian, the alcohol is poured (if applicable) by the parent or guardian, the parent or guardian hands the drink to the minor person, and the minor person is not seated at the bar.
As of 2006, 20 U. S. state do not specifically ban underage consumption and an additional 15 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.
Underage purchase of alcohol, though illegal in all fifty states, is not a federal offense, although restrictions on highway funding for states that allow it make it illegal federally de facto. See
Underage drinking in the United States. Additionally, exceptions exist on certain military installations, for instance
Fort Bliss,
Texas, where the Commanding General lowered the age to 18 to reduce the number of soldiers traveling out of the country to nearby
Ciudad_Juarez, Mexico, to drink.|-|Trinidad and Tobago| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Venezuela| colspan=2 align=center|18||}
Asia
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / region! colspan=2 | De jure! rowspan=2 ]| align=center| 14| align=center| 18||-| Armenia|colspan=2 align=center|18|Muslims in Bahrain are not allowed to drink alcohol at any age. Non-Muslims may, but are forbidden to drink during [Ramadan. - LawGuru.com However, they only enforce drinking laws during Ramadan, and only at stand-alone bars. Saudi Arabian Muslims often go to Bahrain so that they can drink throughout the year. Additionally, even during Ramadan, most bars in hotels will continue to serve.]| align=center| no minimum age| align=center| 12|-|
Brunei| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18|Introduced in January, 2006. . Although the purchase age is legally 18, it is generally not observed for foreigners living in China.|-|[Georgia (country)| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18||-|
Hong Kong|colspan=2 align=center|18- 25 varies between states. 19 in [Maharastra. 25 in
Delhi.] and Mizoram. In addition, alcohol consumption is also banned in some 'holy' cities. A 94 year old law in the Delhi state banning women bartenders was ruled unconstitutional by the Delhi High Court, but the state government's appeal is being heard at the Supreme Court.]| colspan=2 align=center| 18|align=center||-|
Iraq|colspan=2 align=center| Illegal to all, except for Jewish or Christian ceremonies| Only alcohol used for Jewish or Christian religious ceremonies is allowed.|-|[Israel|colspan=2 align=center| 18||-|[Japan|colspan=2 align=center|19|From January 1 of the year the person becomes 19|-|[Kuwait|colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Malaysia|colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Oman| colspan=2 align=center|21
|illegal for muslims. Forbidden by [Sharia (
Islamic Law, with qur'anic and other traditional legal inspirations) .. but can be purchased in some areas of Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
]| colspan=2 align=center|18|-|
Qatar|colspan=2 align=center|no minimum age|-|[Saudi Arabia ([Islamic Law, with
qur'anic and other traditional legal inspirations)]| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|
Sri Lanka| colspan=2 align=center|18| Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 are required pursuant to the Children and Youth Welfare Law ([s:zh:兒童及少年福利法) to prohibit underage drinking or risk administrative fines when the situations are serious.|-|
Thailand| colspan=2 align=center|18| People under 18 years old are allowed to drink non-distilled beverages while being accompanied by parents. Also, minors cannot enter bars.|-|[United Arab Emirates laws state that no person under the age of 16 may be in a place serving alcohol after 18:00. Alcohol is only served in restaurants and bars attached to hotels.|-|[Vietnam|align=center|15|align=center|18||}
Europe
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / region! colspan=2 | De jure! rowspan=2 ]| colspan=2 align=center|No minimum age||-|
Austria, [wine), 18 (Distilled beverage)|from the age of 14 it is permitted to drink alcohol provided by parents|-|
Belarus| colspan=2 align=center| 16| No minimum age to drink in private.|-| [Bosnia and Herzegovina| colspan=2 align=center| 18|-| [Croatia| colspan=2 align=center| 16||-| [Czech Republic| align=center| No minimum age outside bars. In bars 18.| align=center| 16| If a shop fails to ask for an ID-card and they are identified having sold alcohol to an underage, they are fined. A national ID-card can be obtained in the local town hall in order for the youth to verify the youth age towards shops Law no. 213 af march 31, 2004. This card is rarely used though, since a passport or moped-licence can be used. Danish ID-card is rarely used In 2007 some churches have started a campaign against the old Danish custom of introducing alcohol for the youth in relationship with his or her religious confirmation (Age 13-15).|-| [Estonia| align=center| No legal drinking age, possession age same as purchase age| align=center| 18 (shops and [Alko stores up to 22% ABV and all alcohol in bars), 20 (over 22% ABV in Alko stores); alcohol may not be sold to intoxicated customers.]| colspan=2 align=center| 16; for drinking strong liquor on premises: 18Code of public health: L3342-1 « all places providing beverages either for immediate consumption or not and all public places, it is prohibited to sell or offer alcoholic drinks to minors younger than 16, either for immediate consumption or for carrying away. ». L3342-2 further restricts sales for immediate consumptions of certain categories of alcoholic drinks to adults over 18; these categories include mostly all alcohols stronger than cider, beer or wine, as defined in L3321-1. L3342-3 prohibits receiving minors younger than 16 in premises selling alcohol unless they are with a parent, tutor, or other guardian over 18, except that minors at least 13 year old can be received in places selling only nonalcoholic or nearly nonalcoholic drinks (< 1.2°).| It is not customary to request identification, unless the person is manifestly of inappropriate age. It is, however, a crime to sell alcohol to a minor under 16. L3353-3 punishes sales of alcoholic drinks to minors under 16 by a fine, and also possibly imprisonment for repeat offenders. It is illegal for someone under the age of 16 to be at a bar without an adult, even if drinking a non-alcoholic drink.|-|
Germany| colspan=2 align=center| 16|-| [Greece| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18||-|[Iceland|colspan=2 align=center|18|By law, only a [passport, driving licence or a
Garda Síochána age card is accepted as proof of age (although not always asked for in practice). Purchasing alcohol for a minor is illegal (except by parents for consumption at home).|-|
Isle of Man it is only illegal for an adult to give alcohol to a child under 5 years, unless under medical supervision or you need it as if it is an emergency, but this gives an effective drinking age of 5. The age for buying and consumption of alcoholic beverages on licensed premises is 18; however, a person over the age of 16 may buy an alcoholic beverage with a substantial meal, as long as they are accompanied by a person over 18. - Alcohol Strategy -|-|[Italy|colspan=2 align=center|18 ||-|[Liechtenstein|colspan=2 align=center|16 / 18||-|[Latvia|colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Republic of Macedonia|colspan=2 align=center|18||-|
Malta|colspan=2 align=center|No minimum age (beer),
18 (wine and spirits)||-|[Montenegro|align=center|No minimum age|align=center|16 (under 15% ABV),
18 (15% ABV and over)|If a shop fails to ask for an ID-card and they are identified having sold alcohol to an underage, they are fined. No minimum age to drink in private with a parent/guardian.|-|[Norway.|-| [Poland| colspan=2 align=center|16|If a shop fails to ask for an ID-card and they are identified having sold alcohol to an underage, they are fined. People suffering from [mental illness or already extremely inebriated cannot purchase or obtain alcoholic beverages.]| align=center| No minimum age| align=center|18| Sale of all distilled spirits is illegal for those under 18. Advertising distilled alcohol is forbidden during the day (between 5:00 and 22:00). All restrictions apply on sale and distribution to underage persons, not consumption.|-|
Russia| colspan=2 align=center|18||-|[Slovakia| align=center| No minimum age| align=center| 18||-|[Spain, 18.|-|[Sweden stores) | See also [alcohol in Sweden. Bars/clubs often voluntarily choose to have higher age limits than 18, commonly 20 or 23.]| colspan=2 align=center|16 for wine, beer and cider
16-18 (varies from canton to canton) for spirits & spirit-based cocktails ie.
alcopops| colspan=2 align=center|18|-|[United Kingdom| align=center|5| align=center|18 (16)|The legal age to purchase alcohol is 18. People aged 16 and 17, with the licensee's permission, may consume wine, beer or cider with a table meal in specific areas of the premises, providing they're with an adult and the adult orders it. The legal age for the purchase of liqueur chocolates is 16. The legal age for drinking in one's home is 5 provided parental consent is given. Children under 5 must not be given alcohol unless for medical or religious reasons.|}
Oceania
{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | Country / region! colspan=2 | De jure! rowspan=2 ]| align=center| 18| align=center| 18| It is illegal to buy, drink or possess alcohol if under 18 on licensed premises, but states allow drinking or possessing alcohol on private premises for people under the age of 18 (under the supervision of an adult). In NSW there is no law against minors possessing or drinking alcohol on private premises, but there are laws against supplying or selling alcohol to a minor, as well as against minors "carrying away" alcohol from a licensed club. - Section 115 of the Liquor Act 1982 (NSW) - Underage drinking offences, NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing]Minors may be on licensed premises accompanied by a parent or guardian (but not purchase alcohol) and parents can not provide alcohol with a meal on licensed premises. In Victoria, if a minor is caught with alcohol it will be confiscated and guardians notified of the offense, and a fine may occur. It is also illegal to provide minors with alcohol, and one can be fined by it if caught in the act. It is illegal to buy alcohol if already drunk, and to supply alcohol to such a person. Alcohol and young people - New South Wales police|-|
Fiji| colspan=2 align=center| 18 On N.Islands is 21||-| [Palau| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Vanuatu| colspan=2 align=center| 18||-| [Tokelau| align=center| 18| align=center| 18| Alcohol can only be sold by licensed premises but there is no obligation to serve any person. It is illegal to purchase alcohol if already drunk. Drinking on public transport is prohibited, unless the vehicle (e.g. ship, train) holds a liquor license. ** Minors (under 18's) can be fined if they drink alcohol in public places, without a parent or guardian present. Minors can drink alcohol in a public place if they are accompanied and it is provided by their parent or guardian; this includes licensed premises, such as restaurants, and at private social gatherings, but excludes designated restricted areas, where under 18's are not permitted. While there are extensive 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. On [8 November 2006 the
New Zealand Parliament rejected a bill to return the legal age to 20 after significant lobbying by the Keepit18 group and others.]| colspan=2 align=center|18||-| Papua New Guinea| colspan=2 align=center|18||-| [American Samoa| colspan=i like boobs align=center|18||-
|}
General references
A.
B.
Specific references
External links
- MADD Online: Stats & Resources
Kumala
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BBC NEWS | Health | Call to raise drinking age to 21
Britain is failing to effectively regulate alcohol consumption and radical new measures are needed, policy pundits claim.
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Call for drinking age hike
A leading expert on addiction has suggested the legal drinking age be raised to 21 to help tackle Britain's "massive" alcohol problems.
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Drinking Age - UK Youth Parliament Forums
Drinking Age Health ... Hi all. Is the drinking age going up or down? It's all in the news but we have never actually heard anyconfermation?
Legal drinking age - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The legal drinking age is a limit assigned by governments to restrict the access of children and youth to alcoholic beverages. In most countries the legal age to purchase alcohol ...
Drinking Age - Page 14 - UK Youth Parliament Forums
Page 14-Drinking Age Health ... Leave it as it is-whatever age you put it to, someone will always disagree with it.
Scottish Lib Dems: Drinking age campaign - sign our petition below
Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Ross Finnie MSP has launched a campaign to oppose the SNP’s plans to raise the drinking age for off-sales to 21.
Legal Drinking Age
Information about legal drinking ages in the United States and around the world, with discussions of the issues involved in setting a drinking age and arguments for a lower minimum ...
Drinking age 'should be 21'
The legal drinking age in the UK should be raised to 21 in a bid to curb binge drinking among youngsters, a new report for a leading thinktank has argued.
