In North America, the legal drinking age and the legal purchasing age range from 18 to 21: The following charts show the legal drinking age (MLDA) and related data for 190 independent states recognized by the U.S. Department of State on July 15, 2015. Data are from the World Health Organization`s Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2014 2014, unless otherwise noted. No information on alcohol age was available for Djibouti, Lebanon, Marshall Islands, North Korea or South Sudan, the other five countries listed as independent states by the State Department. In Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, Maldives, Iran, Afghanistan and Kuwait, it is illegal to drink alcohol. Most of these countries prohibit alcohol for religious purposes. For example, alcohol in Bangladesh is illegal for Muslims, but legal privately for non-Muslim tourists. In Pakistan, non-Muslim citizens are allowed to possess alcohol if they consume it in a religious ceremony. In the Maldives, alcohol is legal for tourists over the age of 18, but selling alcohol to local Maldivians is a criminal offense. Alcohol is illegal in Iran, but minority religious groups can buy small amounts of alcohol from traders belonging to the same minority religion.
Maps — INGUAT (Guatemalan Tourism Commission; Tel. 502/2421-2800; www.visitguatemala.com) will provide you with a fairly acceptable map showing the whole country on one side and Guatemala City and Antigua on the other. The card is free and you can pick one up at their booth at the airport or at their office in downtown Guatemala City at 7a Av. 1-17, Zona 4. In the 1970s, provincial and state policymakers in Canada and the United States switched to lower MLDAs (set at 21 in most provinces, territories and states) to coincide with the age of judicial majority – usually 18. As a result, MLDAs have been reduced in all Canadian provinces [and] in more than half of U.S. states. In Canada, however, two provinces, Ontario (1979) and Saskatchewan (1976), rapidly increased their subsequent AOMLs from ages 18 to 19 in response to some studies showing a link between lowering the drinking age and increasing alcohol-related harms among adolescents and young adults, including increases in motor vehicle crashes and alcohol poisoning among high school students. Following the reduction of AMRs in the United States, research conducted in several states provided convincing evidence of a sharp increase in fatal and non-fatal traffic accident rates that occurred immediately after the introduction of a lower age for drinking. These scientific discoveries increased public pressure on legislators to increase MLDAs, and in response, the federal government introduced the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which required a reduction in highway funding for states if they did not increase their MLDA to 21.
All states complied and introduced a 21-year MLDA in 1988. [39] For many, the ability to buy a legal drink is a sign of maturity and freedom – and perhaps a harbinger of questionable choices and good times. In many countries, the age at which one can legally drink is considered an important stage of life. This age has also been discussed for a long time. Should the minimum drinking age coincide with a country`s voting age, the age of conscription, the age at which you can buy a lottery ticket or rent a car? Or should it be an age in itself? The drinking age in the United States is 21, although this is not the case in all other countries or even in some states in the United States. Some countries even prefer not to impose such restrictions. The drinking age in Ireland, for example, does not exist in a private home. On the other hand, the youngest age of alcohol consumption on our list belongs to Germany. If a 14-year-old is accompanied by a parent or guardian, it is legal in Germany to consume or buy beer, wine and cider. Without a parent or guardian, you must be at least 16 years old to consume or purchase alcohol.
However, when it comes to a high percentage, you must be 18 years of age or older to serve, sell or deliver. Violations of these rules are punishable by a fine of up to €50,000 or more than €60,000. The method of calculating the legal age for alcohol is slightly different from the calculation of Korean age, where another year is added to the person`s age, while this method does not take into account the month and day of birth, but only the year. [105] The legal age for drinking and purchasing alcohol in the Faroe Islands is 18. [163] Take a look at the rest of the drinking age of every country in the world on the map above or read on for more information. The most well-known reason for the law behind the legal drinking age is the effect on the brain in teenagers. As the brain is still maturing, alcohol can have a negative effect on memory and long-term thinking. In addition, it can cause liver failure and cause hormonal imbalance in adolescents due to the constant changes and maturation of hormones during puberty.
[3] Youth are also particularly at risk of injury when drinking alcohol,[4] as they may not have the necessary knowledge about low-risk drinking. In fact, public health researchers found that people`s age to drink the first full serving of alcohol was significantly related to knowledge of low-risk alcohol consumption and beverage counting. Knowledge about low-risk alcohol consumption and frequency of beverage counting increased more sharply with age at first drinking in adolescence than at the end of the period. [5] Some states do not allow people under the legal drinking age in liquor stores or bars (generally, the difference between a bar and a restaurant is that food is only served in the latter). Contrary to popular belief, only a few states prohibit minors and young adults from consuming alcohol in private places. Alcohol laws – The legal drinking age in Guatemala is 18, although it is almost never enforced. Spirits, from beer to hard spirits, are sold in some liquor stores, as well as most supermarkets and even convenience stores. Alcohol consumption varies considerably from country to country, as does the legal drinking age. In the United States, you must be at least 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages (with some exceptions in some jurisdictions). Surprisingly, this is one of the highest ages in the world to drink. To the north of the United States is Canada, which has a legal drinking age of 18 to 19, and the legal drinking age is much lower in many other countries. In fact, some countries don`t have a minimum drinking age (although there may be a minimum age to buy alcohol) – although the vast majority of these countries still have laws on the age you need to have to buy alcoholic beverages.
Conversely, in some countries (usually under strict Muslim rule), alcohol consumption is completely prohibited. It is technically legal for minors to possess and consume alcohol at home and in public (not on authorized premises), as there is no law prohibiting it. It is also technically legal for someone to buy alcohol and give it to minors outside the store or licensed establishments. [104] Chemically, alcohol is an organic compound formed when grains, vegetables or fruits are left to ferment. Medically, alcohol is classified as a sedative (as opposed to a stimulant like caffeine or a hallucinogen like psilocybin) with a variety of physiological effects. Most of these effects involve slowing down or obstructing bodily functions. For example, alcohol inhibits bodily motor functions and slows reaction times. The more you drink, the slower and clumsier they become. Similarly, alcohol also hinders the brain`s communication pathways. While one or two drinks can make a person looser and more relaxed, continued consumption leads to symptoms such as slurred speech, cloudy thinking, and poor decision-making. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to additional complications such as vomiting, memory loss, drowsiness up to fainting, and in extreme cases, alcohol poisoning.
Finally, long-term excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to serious physiological conditions, including (but not limited to) pancreatitis, cardiomyopathy, liver disease, hyperglycemia, cancer, and various neurological disorders. Want to know more about the legal drinking age around the world? Check out the map below to find out the legal drinking age in countries around the world! ** In Abu Dhabi, the legal drinking age is 18. In all other regions, except Sharjah, the age limit is 21 years. The sale, supply and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Sharjah. In the late 20th century, much of North America changed its legal drinking age (MLDA) as follows: police can search minors in public places and confiscate or destroy alcoholic beverages in their possession. Incidents are reported to the legal guardian and child protection services, who may be involved in child protection proceedings. In addition, a fine is imposed on persons aged 15 and over. [167] In Libya, Somalia, and Sudan, it is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages. In Libya, this ban has led to black markets for the sale of alcohol.
Somalia has also introduced very strict laws on alcohol production. This Islamic country prohibits all alcohol-related activities, including the production, trafficking and consumption of alcohol.