What is the Legal Drinking Age in your Country?

[Sepecat]

I’ve been wondering what the legal drinking age is in other countries. Here in the US you have to be 21 to buy Alcohol. But we all know that most kids drink at 18, regardless the law stating you must be 21 to consume Alcoholic Beverages.

I saw at a website this:
In the US while it is commonly believed that the minimum drinking age is 21, people can legally drink below that age under many circumstances and, in 19 states, it is not specifically illegal to drink under age 21
Does anyone know what those circumstances are that you are able to drink legally under 21, also does anyone know which the 19 states are as mentioned above? Do you have to be 21 as well to legally drink or purchase Wine?

I started drinking when I went to college, before I drank some Wines but not beer, just one or two here and there. :D

Last question from me, is the title: What is the Legal Drinking Age in your Country?

George`

[Wazza]

18, but most people drink at 13-15...

Seems at 18.. coz those are around the age of the top high school level, they often have brothers/sisters, partners etc, who are at the same school, but much younger.

I went to a old work mates birthday party earlier this year. It was her 17th, but her party had about 200 people, and then even more turned up. It was one of those raging parties... everyone hears about it.." good party, come along at...."
So the cops were called out etc, everyone was underage drinking, but it was on private property, so the police couldn't do anything, except tell some people to get off the road.

[FeZ]

George, you are obsessed with alcohol lately, man do you have a alcohol problem or what :D :D :D

I think the situation here (Germany/Austria) is that you need to be 16 to purchase and consume alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, champagne, alcopops and maybe cocktails ???
For the stronger stuff like vodka, whiskey, schnaps (I think > 20%) you must be 18.

Same goes for cigarettes you have to be 16.

The situation is that in a pub nobody gets asked for a license when ordering even if they look damn young sometimes, in a shop they may ask when kids buy hard alcohol.

There is also a debate about cigarette machines, because kids that are refused cigarettes in a shop can usually very easy get them at the machines.

[Chaul]

20, but it's legal to sell beer or "mild" drinks to an 18-year-old. Still most get drunk the first time in their teens..

Now it was made illegal to drink in public places like parks other than bars.

[Sepecat]

Hehe Fez, I have been sober Since the incident Wednesday. :D

Second, I have no beer, wine or Scotch in stock.

But I do have some club soda. ^_^

Chaul where you from btw?

I think I read somewhere that in Sweden and Portugal, there in no drinking age? True?

George`

[[MC]Heiliger]

well said FeZ...

...I am just wondering how the kids like in age of 12 to 14 may get the cigarettes...'cause they costing alot per pack...personally I wouldn't waste my low pocketmoney and the money I get from some little jobs which the youth may do for some smoke...not for that high cost...I don't care what adults do...it's their own prob...but why must kids smoke (and they do start to smoke with less then 12 years...I know for sure)
I had my first try with a cigarette in age of 12 or 13 years...was with my cousin...my second one I had with 14 years...with some pales...well, it didn't was that terrible...but it didn't give me any special feelings or so...no satisfaction like I get when I had a delicious meal or something like that :confused: ...


lol...btw...that remembers me...I had two little guys in front of mine on a cass...they might be 11 or 12...anyway they just wanted to buy a Mixery and the lady on the cass didn't let pass them ^_^ ...it's not that often...I also watched a time that some guys...almost same age like the called once...got their beer...only 'cause the lady on the cass didn't care about it...but why?? Does she really think that she helps her market with one more saled of a bottle beer??

[FeZ]

Alcohol in Sweden is so damn expensive, nobody can afford to get drunk there :) That is also a reason why Swedes are always such great fun when abroad (=constantly drunk) :D

Look what I found, the list is not complete but as a start.
http://www.nate-dog.com/drinking/legal_drinking_age.php
http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol-info/LegalDrinkingAge.html

[JLK]

George,

I seem to remember the exception in the USA is military personnel are still allowed to drink at 18. I guess the theory is if you're old enough to fight & die for your counrty, your old enough to get a beer buzz. That was the arguement used to lower the legal age from 21 to 18 during the Vietnam war.

:beer:
Jim

[Sepecat]

I think in Japan the law is 20 for you to drink, but at 18 you can easily do so.

JLK,

So I take it that Now* if you are in the armed service you can drink beer at 18?

Any Idea about Singapore, I know that country has some strict laws but I don’t think I have seen anything about the Drinking Age there?

Maybe way might know?

George`

[Chaul]

I thought the minimum drinking age in Sweden was 18 but I could be wrong.. Oh, I'm from Finland.

[Blitz]

In Canada, the minimum age to consume and purchase alcohol is 19. Same goes for ciggarettes, I suppose that's why many American teens come over here, for some legal booze. :)

[Sepecat]

At 18 you can buy cigarettes here, but I’ve seen most stores ask for Id’s when a teen try to buy. But not all stores do card the teens, so they easily can buy them.

George`

[Sepecat]

Blitzkrieg,

I thought in some Province’s you can buy alcohol at 18?

:confused:

George`

[FIATLOVE]

Alcohol in Sweden is so damn expensive, nobody can afford to get drunk there That is also a reason why Swedes are always such great fun when abroad (=constantly drunk) ^_^

Hey, we drive to Sweden when we want cheap beer, wine and spiritus, say no more &( :rolleyes: ;)

Norway; beer & wine = 18 years
20%> = 20 years
cigarettes = 18 years

Sweden has something near our aging regarding sale in shops, but they have 22 or 24 years restrictions at entry niteclubs (at least some few years back) wich is much more restrective than we have here.

[Chaul]

And Finns go to Russia or Estonia for booze. So the Estonians think we are all drunkards because of the typical Finnish tourist there.. eh..

[nighttraveler]

here in Costa Rica, you become a citizen at the age of 18, at that age you can buy any type of alcohol or cigarretes but it's quite easy to buy beer or cigarretes under that age, for example, i'm 14 and almost every time i try to buy, i'm sucessfull, but you must know where to buy, like in mini markets at your neighborhood

[Commander]

In Canada, the legal drinking age varies. In some places it is 18, while in other provinces it is 19 (like B.C. for example). I think this is rather dumb because you just drive into Alberta from B.C. if you are 18 and can get as pissed as you want. It is illegal to be in bars too or in posession of alcohol if you are under age.

Almost EVERYONE has had their first go at booze in their mid teens, like High School age. It is pretty common and even the cops don't seem to get too cranky about it.

In the U.S., I know in certain States one must be 21 to consume alcohol, but at age 18 you are allowed in the bar but can't drink. Some States even go further with this and DO allow you to drink at age 18 so long as you have guardian consent. It is pretty silly if you ask me.

[Justin Martin]

US state laws regarding alcohol consumption: http://www.youthrights.org/dastatelist.html

In Texas, you have to be 21 to buy or possess alcohol, unless you are with a parent, guardian, or spouse. (who is over 21)

[WCOutlaw]

The UK is 18, but at 14 I believe you can consume table wine (or perhaps a shandy/cider) in a restaurant and/or pub type affair when accompanied by an adult.

I don't think you can be under 18 and be at a bar, and you also have to be 18 to serve alcohol as well as to be served it. There are certain bars/clubs with age restriction with/without times as well, which is their policy, rather than law (similar to dress codes really).

I started drinking when I was 13, and by 16 I was going to pubs with mates when I was at college - just one of those things.


Edit: by bar above, I mean the physical bar in a pub, or Bar room - as there's differences, perhaps another UK'er can explain better - but I'm pretty sure you can't be at a bar if you're under 18, unless you're helping out someone carry drinks - and if it's a Bar room, then it's 18 and above.

Again though, the same thing applies, and usually you get 16/17 year olds frequenting pubs, some are more relaxed and would rather have the patronage.

[monaro]

here it is 18, but i always buy alcohol and cigarettes for me and my mates and i'm only 16. we dont get asked for ID much here in Adelaide.

yesterday i was at the cricket watching the test between Aus and India and a bunch of kids i knew, aged between 13 and 16 were at the bar all day and didnt get asked for ID once, and they all looked very underage.

[[SK]Mojo]

In the United States of America it kills more people every year than all other drugs combined. It's a factor in more than 50% of all reported rapes, assaults, and murders. Not to mention countless other crimes. As a whole Americans spend more money each year on alcoholic beverages than they do on the entire educational system. It makes me sick that my government allows it to be advertised so freely, and allows it to be available on every street corner, and at every sporting event. I think it's just a way for our government to control the population.:( It's a sick, sick world we live in here in the U.S.A. Thank the heavens that we have marijuana, but of course it's illegal .:confused: Well, I guess it's time to get baked and race8)~ :racer: :hphones:

[chris]

18 here.

What monaro reckons is probably mostly true for everywhere in Australia. Some places will sell cigarettes to 13 year olds even. It's ridiculous.

[-otkeys]

I Denmark anyone whose Viking-inheritance can be veryfied is allowed to drink beer regardless of their age. Foreigners on the other hand, are only allowed to drink if they are willing to pay twice the price we do, unless of course, they can prove that they do MC 5 BW in less than 45 secs - then it's free.

So dear friends: go practice and get here, first rounds on me !



Stig [XR]KEYS:beer:

[[XR]CARS]

Originally posted by -otkeys
unless of course, they can prove that they do MC 5 BW in less than 45 secs - then it's free.



Maybe Jerry ([MC]Scary) and Trisha should go there.. ^_^

Here in Venezuela the legal age for drinkin, going to a discotheque, driving a car, traveling alone, and buying cigarrets is 18... although I did a lot of those when I had 15 - 18.. :nono:

[FIATLOVE]

And Finns go to Russia or Estonia for booze. So the Estonians think we are all drunkards because of the typical Finnish tourist there.. eh..

Well, we are considered worse than swedes due that we have to visit them for cheap boose :D , I know how you feel Chaul ^_^


I Denmark anyone whose Viking-inheritance can be veryfied is allowed to drink beer regardless of their age.
That's what's makes it so comfortable for us to vacate in Denmark :clown: :moose:

[[SK]Tammy]

As Phil said, I think in the UK the age to buy alcohol is 18 but I don't think it is against the law to consume under 18.

It is also legal to have children in bars here. They can purchase snacks and soft drinks from the bar.

I may be wrong but I remember having a glass of wine with dinner when dining out when I was a teenager.

I also remember my parents buying me drinks in bars when I was under age.

If you don't misuse alcohol it can add to a balanced diet! :D

:love:

Tammy

[jelly]

In some countries, there is also a distinction between alcohol within the home and outside of it. You would not get done if, say, on rare occasions, you allowed your kid of age 12 to have a glass of wine inside your house, under your supervision. Obviously, if it was revealed that you allowed the kid to go on drinking marathons, childrens' groups would challenge the competence of the parenting. But for a glass every blue moon, you would not be prosecuted. I cannot remember if this also applies in this country ( UK ).

- AC.

[VQ]

Originally posted by monaro
here it is 18, but i always buy alcohol and cigarettes for me and my mates and i'm only 16. we dont get asked for ID much here in Adelaide.

yesterday i was at the cricket watching the test between Aus and India and a bunch of kids i knew, aged between 13 and 16 were at the bar all day and didnt get asked for ID once, and they all looked very underage.

Yer it is weird, I mean in Aus, we can legally smoke, but we can't buy the ciggerettes or have them given to us, so in theory that should stop us but it don't.

We don't get asked for Id much either in Melbourne, but I think itz because most people just want the money regardless of who from.

[Sepecat]

Hey Mads,

Doesn’t Scandinavians love beer, I think sometime ago I read a trip report of have SAS loads up its passengers, and pretty much almost the full plane is drunk by the time they arrive from a long haul flight.

^_^


Monaro

I see you were at the test match, what do you think of Indian Batsmen Sachin Tendulkar?


George`

[Justin Martin]

Originally posted by Vqcapricedude
Yer it is weird, I mean in Aus, we can legally smoke, but we can't buy the ciggerettes or have them given to us, so in theory that should stop us but it don't.

I suppose that's so that kids don't get arrested for being stupid, but adults can be arrested for giving them a potentially addictive, health-endangering device.

It used to be like that in Texas, but the law was changed about five years ago. It's now illegal for anyone under 18 to buy, beg, borrow, smoke, posess, or hold-to-lips-without-inhaling-Clinton-style any tobacco product.