Legal drinking age

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Minimum legal age to purchase alcohol by country:
  Illegal
  Minimum age of 25 years
  Minimum age of 21 years
  Minimum age of 20 years
  Minimum age of 19 years
  Minimum age of 18 years
  Minimum age of 17 years
  Minimum age of 16 years
  No regulation/no information

The legal drinking age is the age at which a person can consume or purchase alcoholic beverages. These laws cover a wide range of issues and behaviors, addressing when and where alcohol can be consumed. The minimum age alcohol can be legally consumed can be different from the age when it can be purchased in some countries. These laws vary among different countries and many laws have exemptions or special circumstances. Most laws apply only to drinking alcohol in public places, with alcohol consumption in the home being mostly unregulated (an exception being the UK, which has a minimum legal age of five for supervised consumption in private places). Some countries also have different age limits for different types of alcoholic drinks.[1]

Some Islamic nations prohibit Muslims, or both Muslims and non-Muslims, from drinking alcohol at any age, due to Islam forbidding the consumption of alcohol. In other countries, it is not illegal for minors to drink alcohol, but the alcohol can be seized without compensation. In some cases, it is illegal to sell or give alcohol to minors. The following list indicates the age of the person for whom it is legal to consume and purchase alcohol.

Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Solomon Islands, India (certain states), the United States (except U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico), Yemen (Aden and Sana'a), Japan, Iceland, Canada (certain Provinces and Territories), and South Korea have the highest set drinking ages, however two Canadian provinces do not have off-premises drinking limits. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Moldova, Morocco, and Western Sahara have the lowest set drinking ages.

Africa[edit]

Country/region De jure Notes
Drinking Age Purchase age
 Algeria 18[2]
 Angola 18[citation needed]
 Botswana 18[2]
 Burundi 18[2] No limit if accompanied by parents.
 Cameroon 18 21 18 on the premises, 21 off the premises
 Cape Verde 18[2]
 Central African Republic 18[2]
 Comoros None[2]
 Egypt 18 (beer), 21 (wine/spirits)[2][3]
 Equatorial Guinea None[2]
 Eritrea 18[2]
 Ethiopia 18[2]
 Gabon 18[2] Illegal for Muslims
 Gambia 18[2] Illegal for Muslims
 Ghana 18[4]
 Guinea-Bissau None[2]
 Kenya 18[2]
 Lesotho 18[2]
 Libya Illegal[2]
 Malawi 18[4]
 Mauritius 18[2]
 Morocco 16[2] Forbidden for Muslims
 Mozambique 18[2]
 Namibia 18[2]
 Niger 18[2]
 Nigeria 18[2]
 Republic of the Congo 18[2]
 Rwanda 18[2]
 Senegal None[2]
 Seychelles 18[2]
 Somalia Illegal[5]
 South Africa 18 The parent, adult guardian of a minor or a person responsible for administering a religious sacrament, may on occasion supply to that minor a moderate quantity of liquor to be consumed by the minor in the presence and under the supervision of that parent, guardian or other person.[6]
 South Sudan 18[7]
 Sudan Illegal[8]
 Swaziland 18
 Tanzania 18[9]
 Togo 18[2]
 Tunisia 18[2]
 Uganda 18[2]
 Zambia 18[2]
 Zimbabwe 18[2]

Americas[edit]

Country/region De jure Notes
Drinking age Purchase age
 Antigua and Barbuda 16[10] The sale and distribution of alcohol to a person under 16 years of age is illegal.
 Argentina 18[2][11] Alcohol sales are forbidden after 09.00 p.m. ID can be required.
 Bahamas 18[2] Foreigners are usually not asked for Identification and drinking laws are weakly enforced. ID can be required.
 Belize 18[12] Drinking age is rarely enforced. ID is almost never requested.
 Bermuda 18[13]
 Bolivia 18[2]
 Brazil 18[2] ID can be required specially at nightclubs
 British Virgin Islands 16[12] It is illegal to sell or to supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 16.
 Canada 18[14][15][16] In Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, the legal drinking age is 18.
19[14][17][18] In Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut, the legal drinking age is 19.
 Cayman Islands 18[19]
 Chile 18[2] The minimum age is 18 for buying and consuming alcohol. Selling alcohol to a minor may attract a fine. One must provide identification upon request. Residents of Chile over the age of 18 must carry their Chilean identification card issued by the Civil Registry and Identification Service at all times.
 Colombia 18[2]
 Costa Rica 18[2]
 Cuba 18[20][21]
 Dominican Republic 18[22]
 Ecuador 18[2]
 El Salvador 18[2]
 Falkland Islands 18[2]
 Guatemala 18[2]
 Guyana 18[2]
 Haiti 16[20]
 Honduras 18[23]
 Jamaica None[2] 18[2]| date=October 2015}}
 Mexico 18[2] ID can be required.
 Nicaragua 18[2]
 Panama 18[2]
 Paraguay 20[24]
  • According to Art. 1° of the law to "ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors", it is illegal to serve or sell alcohol or to allow the consumption by minors under 20 years of age.
  • Furthermore, under Art 2° all public establishments selling alcohol must display a clearly legible notice in the sales area with the following text:

"ESTA PROHIBIDA LA VENTA DE BEBIDAS ALCOHÓLICAS A MENORES DE VEINTE AÑOS DE EDAD" (It is illegal (prohibited) to sell alcoholic beverages to minors under 20 years of age)
 Peru 18[2]
 Puerto Rico 18[25] The minimum age for the selling of any alcohol beverage is 18. Although a valid Puerto Rico license ID or passport is required as proof of age to buyers who look under the age of 18, it is generally not a common practice to ask for ID to enter a venue that sells alcohol or to sell you alcohol at other establishments. This law can be more enforced in some tourist areas and on foreigners visiting the island by some more exclusive hotels, bars, and upscale clubs. Very few of the more exclusive venues in the tourist areas may have their own entrance rules regarding age including not allowing anyone under the age of 25 or 23 to enter and consume alcohol or change this depending on specific nights/events and restricted by gender/sex (i.e. women over 18 allowed to enter but only men over 21 on that same night).

It is illegal to take and consume alcohol beverages outside of bars/clubs on any open container while on the streets in the San Juan area by Municipality ordinance. This law is highly enforced in the tourist areas of Old San Juan and Condado, with some drinking generally allowed outside in designated areas in front or near bars and controlled by bars themselves. Usually, any evident intoxication is the responsibility of the bar and when it comes to drinking and driving, laws are very strict going from temporary suspension of license, high fines, and even jail. Alcohol is allowed within cars for transportation purposes as long as it is not being consumed by any member in the vehicle and remains sealed in its glass or original container.

No laws exist for restricting hours of selling alcohol except in a few municipalities outside of the metropolitan area, which may have their own cut-off time regulations. During some special occasions for town festivals and public street celebrations, specific regulations about cut-off times or time restrictions may be put in place. Selling of alcohol to non-minors is allowed only by possession of a separate alcohol license/permit for establishments but is generally allowed without time restrictions at bars, clubs, restaurants, pubs, grocery stores, liquor stores (uncommon stores), hotels, gas stations, and other licensed establishments.[26]
 Trinidad and Tobago 18[2]
 United States
(50 states and integral territories)		 21[2] The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 withholds revenue from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of twenty-one. 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 that food is served only in the latter). Contrary to popular belief, since the act went into law, only a few states (such as Pennsylvania, for example) prohibit minors and young adults from consuming alcohol in private settings. As of January 1, 2010, fifteen states and the District of Columbia ban underage consumption outright, seventeen states do not ban underage consumption, and the remaining eighteen states have family member or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws.

Federal law explicitly provides for religious exceptions. As of 2005, thirty-one states have family member or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. However, non-alcoholic beer in many (but not all) states, such as Idaho, Texas, and Maryland, is considered legal for those under the age of twenty-one.[27]

By a judge's ruling, South Carolina appears to allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by adults eighteen to twenty years of age, but a circuit court judge has said otherwise.[28]

The state of Washington and Wisconsin allows the consumption of alcohol in the presence of parents.

Some U.S. states have legislation that make providing to and possession of alcohol by persons under twenty-one a gross misdemeanor with a potential of a $5,000 fine and a year in jail or more.[29]

See also: Minor in Possession
 United States Virgin Islands 18[30] http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2012/nov/21/health-first-wisconsin/health-first-wisconsin-says-wisconsin-stands-alone/
 Uruguay None[2] 18[2] Alcohol sales are forbidden between midnight and 6 am in places where alcohol consumption is not allowed.[31]
 Venezuela 18[2]

Asia[edit]

Country/region De jure Notes
Drinking age Purchase age
 Afghanistan Illegal[32]
 Bangladesh Illegal for Muslims [33] Alcohol will be sold to foreigners in certain locations, albeit clandestinely.
 Brunei Illegal[2] Although it is illegal to purchase alcohol, it is legal for non-Muslims aged 17 and above to bring limited amounts of alcohol into the country every 48 hours if it is consumed in their home.[2]
 Cambodia None[34]
 China 18[2] Introduced in January 2006.[35] Weakly enforced to not enforced.
 Hong Kong 18[36] The regulation is only applicable to restaurants, bars and clubs, where a liquor license is required. Private drinking is also not regulated.
 India 18–25 (varies between states).[2]
Main article: Alcohol laws of India

Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Gujarat.[37]
 Indonesia None 18 No law prohibits minors from consuming and possessing alcohol. The legal age for purchasing alcohol is 18, but this law is rarely implemented. ID is not often requested. There is a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in mini-markets and halal restaurants catering to Muslims.
 Iran 18[2] There is a ban on alcohol, but religious minorities may purchase small amounts from shops owned by the same religious minority.[38]
 Iraq 18[2]
 Israel None 18[2] It is illegal to sell alcohol between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, outside of pubs and restaurants. The law prohibits selling or serving alcohol to minors, but it does not prohibit minors to drink.
 Japan 20[2]
 Jordan 18[39]
 Kazakhstan 21[40]
 Kuwait Illegal[41]
 Kyrgyzstan 18[2]
 Lebanon 18[2]
 Macau None
 Malaysia 18 The official minimum drinking age for public is 18 (with licensed areas for purchase), however private drinking has not been regulated.
 Maldives 18[2] Sale of alcohol is limited to tourist resorts. It is illegal to sell alcohol to Muslims.
 Mongolia 18[42]
   Nepal 18[43] The legal age for consumption of alcohol in Nepal is 18. However, there is a part of the Nepal society that flouts the law based on their religion and allows their children to drink alcohol at a much younger age.[43]
 North Korea 18[44]
 Oman 21[45] Residents need personal liquor licenses to consume alcohol in their private residences.[45]
 Pakistan 21[2] Forbidden by Sharia. Illegal for Muslims[2]
 Palestine 16[2] Legal in most cities
 Philippines 18[46]
 Qatar 21[citation needed] Muslims are allowed to purchase alcohol, but generally not allowed to consume. Non Muslims are allowed to purchase, and consume alcohol. The only legal distributor of alcohol in the country is the Qatar Distribution Company located in Doha.
 Saudi Arabia Illegal Drinking or possessing alcohol is illegal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Persons who drink or possess alcohol are subject to arrest and trial. Punishments for drinking or possessing alcohol ranges from heavy fines, lengthy prison terms and whippings.[47][unreliable source?]
 Singapore None (Private places, sometimes with permission from parents/guardian)
18 (Public places e.g. bars and restaurants)		 18[2]

Main Legislation

  • Drinking alcohol is strictly forbidden in public places in reaction to 2013 Little India riot, after the Committee of Inquiry accepts the recommendations on 7 July 2014.
  • For convenience stores, those who pretend to be 18 years and below in a "Challenge 18" scheme will also be upgraded to "Challenge 21" scheme, and after which the licences will be revoked once they pretend to be 18 years and below if it is on "Challenge 21".
  • It is illegal to purchase alcohol in Singapore or consume in a nightclub/allow entry to the nightclub under 18. Home and private drinking of alcohol is allowed, although the safest age could be 6. Parents can try a sip of alcohol at any age.
 South Korea None 19
 Sri Lanka 21[2]
 Syria 18[citation needed] During the Syrian Civil War, Islamic extremists have made consumption of alcohol illegal under territories under their control.[citation needed]
 Taiwan 18[2][48]
  • It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to consume alcohol.[49]
  • Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 shall prohibit underage drinking,[50] or risk administrative fines of 10000 to 50000 new Taiwan dollars when the situations are serious.[51]
  • One shall not supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.[52] A violator shall be administratively fined 3000 to 15000 new Taiwan dollars.[53]
 Tajikistan 21[citation needed] Off-limits to the Muslim majority
 Thailand 20[54] The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 increased the drinking age in Thailand from 18 to 20, private drinking is not regulated in private locations.[54][55]
 Turkmenistan 18[2]
 United Arab Emirates 21[citation needed] Expatriate non-Muslim residents may request a liquor permit to purchase alcoholic beverages, but it is illegal for such holders to provide drinks to others.[56]
 Vietnam None None
 Yemen Illegal[citation needed] Exception is in Aden Region where it's legal for 21 and up

Europe[edit]

Country/region De jure Notes
Drinking age Purchase age
 Albania None 18[2]
 Armenia None 18 There are no laws mandating alcohol vendors to ID potential underage drinkers. ID checks are very rarely, if ever, carried out.
 Austria 16  Burgenland,  Lower Austria and  Vienna[57]
16 for beer and wine
18 for distilled beverages		  Carinthia,  Upper Austria,  Salzburg,  Styria,  Tyrol and  Vorarlberg[57]
Carinthia also requires adolescents to maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05%.
 Azerbaijan 18[2]
 Belarus 18[2]
 Belgium None 16 for beer and wine
18 for spirits[58]		 Since 10 January 2010, it is illegal to "sell, serve, or offer" any form of distilled alcohol to those under the age of 18 or any alcoholic drink to those under 16. So fermented drinks like beer or wine are permitted above 16.[58] Previously, it was illegal to sell alcoholic drinks to under-16s, but accompanying adults could buy drinks for them.
 Bosnia and Herzegovina None 18[59]
 Bulgaria None 18[2] The Health Act prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under 18 years of age, but not their consumption.[60]
 Croatia None 18[61]
 Cyprus 17[62]
 Czech Republic None 18[63] It is illegal to provide alcohol to minors[64] (punishable by fine or up to 1[65] or 2[66] year(s) imprisonment). Consumption itself is not prohibited by law.[67]
 Denmark None 16 to buy alcohol <16.5% ABV
18 to buy alcohol >16.5% ABV
18 to be served in restaurants, bars, discos etc.[2]		 While there is no age requirement for drinking alcohol in Denmark, there are laws which prevent minors from buying alcohol:
  • In order to buy alcohol above 1.2% and below 16.5% ABV in stores, one must be 16 years of age.
  • In order to buy alcohol above 16.5% ABV in stores, one must be 18 years of age.[68]
  • To be served alcoholic drinks in bars, discos, clubs, restaurants and any establishment serving alcoholic beverages one must be 18 years of age.[69]

By tradition, youths are privately allowed to drink alcohol after their confirmation.[70] If a shop or bar fails to ask for an ID card and is identified having sold alcohol to an underage, it is subject to fine. A national ID card, obtained in the local town hall, can serve as age verification.[71] This card is rarely used though since a passport or moped-licence can sometimes be used.[72]
 Estonia 18[73] Drinking in public is prohibited for everyone. Stores may sell alcohol only between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.[73]
 Finland 18 for possession and purchase of 1.2–22% ABV
20 for possession and purchase of 23–80% ABV
18 for all in bars, clubs and restaurants[74]		 All major grocery chains have implemented the policy to ask for ID if the customer is looking under 30.[75] Stores may refuse to sell if the customer is accompanied by a minor or proxy purchasing is suspected. Stores may sell alcohol only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor is considered a criminal offence.[74][76]

Police may search minors in public places and confiscate or destroy any alcoholic beverages in their possession. Incidents are reported to the legal guardian and social authorities, who may intervene with child welfare procedures. In addition, those aged 15 or above are subject to a fine.[77]

In private, offering alcohol to a minor is considered a criminal offence if it results in drunkenness and the act can be deemed reprehensible as a whole, considering the minor's age, degree of maturity and other circumstances.[74]
 France None 18 France has no explicitly stated consumption age,[78] but selling alcohol to a minor (under 18) is illegal[79] and can be fined 7500 euros.[78] This age was raised from 16 to 18 in 2009.[80][81]
 Georgia None 18[2]
 Germany None 16 for beer and wine
18 for spirits
[82]
See also: Alcohol laws in Germany
 Gibraltar None[83] 16/18 It is illegal to sell alcoholic drinks to anyone under the age of 18.

The minimum age to be served in licensed premises is 16 if:[83]

  • The alcoholic beverage is beer, wine or cider below 15% ABV, or
  • The alcoholic beverage is served in a bottle, or a pre-packaged container below 5.5% ABV.
 Greece none 18 In 2008, the consumption of alcoholic beverages was prohibited for minors in public. However, the law does not apply to private events or private premises.
 Hungary 18[2]
 Iceland None 20[2][84] 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.
 Ireland 18[85] It is illegal for minors to buy alcohol or for a third party to attempt to buy it for minors. It is illegal for minors to consume alcohol in a public space but those under 18 may consume alcohol in a private residence when permission is given from a parent or guardian. It is illegal to purchase alcohol for anybody under the age of consent without permission from their guardians. Alcohol can be sold in stores only between 10:30 and 22:00 on weekdays and Saturdays or 12:30 and 22:00 on Sundays.[86]
 Italy None 18[87] In 2012 the then Health Minister Renato Balduzzi proposed to raise the age to 18.[88] Selling alcohol to those under the age of 18 in shops carries a fine between €250 and €1000. Serving alcoholic beverages to those under the age of 16 is a criminal offense and is punished with prison up to one year, if the individual is 16 or 17 it will be treated as an offense which is fined between €250 and €1000 (Legge n. 189/2012).
 Kosovo None 18[89]
 Latvia None 18[90] Selling alcoholic beverages in stores, with the exception of bars, clubs and restaurants, is prohibited between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Drinking in public is prohibited.
 Liechtenstein 16 for wine, beer and cider
18 for spirits and spirit-based beverages. e.g. alcopops		 Wine, beer and ciders as well as some other party drinks sometimes without spirits may be purchased by the age of 16. Spirits as well as alcopops may be sold only to people at least 18.[91]
 Lithuania 18[92] In the Republic of Lithuania drinking in public is prohibited. Selling alcoholic beverages in stores is prohibited between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m and on 1 September of every year. Minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages or from having them.
 Luxembourg None 16[93]
 Macedonia 18[94] Must show an ID card upon request. From May 1 until September 30, alcohol can be sold in stores only between 6:00 and 21:00
 Malta 17[95] Must provide identification upon request.
 Moldova None 16[96] It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 16. There is no consumption age.
 Montenegro None 18
 Netherlands None 18 The legal age for purchasing any alcoholic beverage was raised from 16 to 18 on 1 January 2014. However, many places have officially or unofficially retained a less strict regulation towards 16- and 17-year-olds.[97] Alcohol is commonly available upon parental permission. Selling alcoholic beverages to people under 18 is illegal, although giving it away in private is not. Minors are not allowed to carry alcoholic beverages in public.
 Norway None[98] 18 (<22%)
20 (≥22% ABV)[2]		 Selling alcohol to or buying alcohol for minors is illegal. Minors are defined as under 18 for beer and wine, under 20 for drinks that contain 22% ABV or more. Minors who buy alcohol are not held criminally responsible; instead, the crime lies with those who sold it or obtained it for them.

Alcohol may be sold in stores between 08:00 and 20:00 on weekdays, and Saturdays between 08:00 and 18:00. Alcoholic beverages containing more than 4,75 % ABV are sold in Vinmonopolet. In Vinmonopolet alcohol may be sold between 08:00 and 18:00 during week days, and between 08:00 and 15:00 the day before Sunday or religious holidays.

Alcohol with more than 60% ABV is generally not sold in Norway, although exceptions may be made by the government for specific products.[99]

Alcohol possessed by minors may be confiscated as evidence. Drinking in public is prohibited, though this is rarely enforced in recreational areas.[100]
 Poland None 18[101][102] Article 15 clearly states that buyers must be at least 18 and prove it with ID if they look like they may not be at least that age.[102] Drinking in public is prohibited.
 Portugal None 16 for beer and wine

18 for spirits [103]
 Romania None 18[104] According to law 61/1991 updated in 2008, paragraphs 21-25, it is illegal to serve or sell alcohol to minors. The law also imposes restrictions on serving or selling alcohol in some public locations (parks, hospitals, schools, stadiums, airports, public transport, etc.) or during certain events (strikes, public meetings, sport events, etc.)
 Russia None 18[105] There is no law or regulation in Russia that prohibits minors from consuming alcohol, but selling alcohol to minors is prohibited by federal and additional regional laws.

Until 2011, any drink with ABV under 10% was not considered an alcoholic beverage.[106]
 Serbia -
 Slovakia None 18[107]
 Slovenia None 18[108] There is no law regulating the possession and consumption, but it is illegal to sell or offer alcohol of any kind to minors. Also, it is illegal to sell alcohol in stores from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., 10 a.m. in bars and restaurants.
 Spain None 18
16 in Asturias[2]		 18 in most autonomous communities of Spain.[109]Asturias remains as last autonomous communitie in Spain where the drinking age remains at 16. Although the Governing Council gave the green light to a new law banning alcohol consumption below 18, the new legislation is still pending in period, open to amendments of the parliamentary groups.[110][111]

It is illegal to sell alcohol to people under 18, the fine being between €30,000 and €600,000.[112] Stores are not allowed to sell alcohol between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m without a specific license, after a recent law was passed.[113]
 Sweden

None (drinking supervised in private "in moderation")

None (less than 2.25% ABV)
18 (bars and restaurants),
18 (2.25%–3.5% ABV in food shops),
20 (Systembolaget shops[114]),

 See also alcohol in Sweden. Many clubs choose to have higher age limits than 18, commonly 20 or 23. It is legal to drink below 18, but it is illegal to sell, lend or give alcohol to someone under that age,[115] and the police can seize alcohol from them. The reason for lower limit in bars than in Systembolaget shops is that bartenders have a legal responsibility for how drunk a guest gets.
  Switzerland None
(See notes)		 16 for fermented alcoholic drinks (with less than 15% ABV and natural wines with less than 18% ABV);[116]
18 for spirits [117]		 Whoever offers or supplies alcoholic beverages to a child under the age of 16 years in an amount which is harmful to one's health is punished with imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine.[118] Whoever sells or supplies spirits to a person under the age of 18 years is punished with a fine up to 10.000 CHF.[119]
18 The canton Ticino prohibits selling and consumption of any type of alcohol by minors under the age of 18. Some shops and supermarkets may not sell alcohol to minors under the age of 18.[120]
 Turkey 18[2] The law bans the sale of alcohol in shops between 22:00 and 06:00[121]
 Ukraine 18[2]
 United Kingdom 18 (to consume alcohol on licensed premises)[122]
16 (to consume beer, wine or cider on licensed premises with meal)[122]
16 (to consume liqueur confectionery)[123]
5 (to consume alcohol not on licensed premises)[124]
0 (under medical supervision, or in an emergency)[124]		 18[122]
16 (liqueur confectionery)[123]		 Legislation in  England and  Wales:
  • It is illegal to sell, serve, offer or consume alcoholic beverages on licensed premises under the age of 18, other than the following two exceptions.[122]
  • Minors aged 16 or 17 may consume wine, beer or cider on licensed premises when ordered with a meal, and accompanied by an adult.[122]
  • It is illegal to sell liqueur confectionery to someone under the age of 16.[123]
  • It is illegal to permit minors under the age of 5 to consume alcoholic beverages unless under medical supervision or in an emergency.[124]
5 in private premises[125]
16 (to consume beer, wine or cider on licensed premises with meal)
16 (to consume liqueur confectionery)

18 in public without a meal or adult supervision

 18
16 (to buy beer, wine or cider on licensed premises with meal)
16 (to buy liqueur confectionery)		 Legislation in  Scotland:
  • It is illegal to sell, serve, offer or consume alcoholic beverages in public under the age of 18.[126]
  • Minors aged 16 or 17 may consume wine, beer or cider on licensed premises when ordered with a meal. The order has to be made by an adult.[126]
  • It is illegal to sell liqueur confectionery to someone under the age of 16.[126]
18 Legislation in  Northern Ireland:

It is illegal to sell, serve, offer or consume alcoholic beverages in public under the age of 18.[citation needed]
Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 (applies to all of the  United Kingdom)

Under the BBPA's Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 schemes, customers attempting to buy alcoholic beverages are asked to prove their age if in the retailer's opinion they look under 21[127] (or optionally 25) even though the law states they must be a minimum of 18. Many supermarket and off-licence chains display Challenge 21 (or Challenge 25) notices stating that they will not serve persons who look under 21 (or 25) without ID.

Oceania[edit]

Country/region De jure Notes
Drinking age Purchase age
 American Samoa 21[128]
 Australia 18[2][129]
Main article: Alcohol laws of Australia

Varies by state. Some states restrict possession and consumption to over 18, all states restrict purchasing to over 18. Minors may consume alcohol in a private residence with parental supervision.[130]
 Fiji 18[131] The drinking age was 21 from 2006 to 2009 but was lowered to 18 in 2009.[131]
 Guam 21[132]
 Micronesia, Federated States of 21[2]
 New Zealand 18[2][133] Minimum age applies for beverages with 1.15% ABV or over; no restrictions on beverages less than 1.15% ABV.[134]
Persons under 18 may not drink outside private residences or private functions unless accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Alcohol may be supplied to minors only by and with permission from their parent or legal guardian, but no adult hosts of private functions may supply alcohol.
 Northern Mariana Islands 21[135]
 Palau 21[2]
 Papua New Guinea 18[2]
 Samoa 18[2]
 Solomon Islands 21[2]
 Tokelau 18[citation needed]
 Tonga 21[2]
 Vanuatu 18[2]

See also[edit]

Part of the Politics series on
Youth rights

References[edit]

  1. ^ Drinking Age Limits - International Center for Alcohol Policies
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co "Minimum Age Limits Worldwide". International Center for Alcohol Policies. January 2010. Retrieved 2013-01-08. 
  3. ^ Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Egypt
  4. ^ a b "Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy - Country Profiles". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2013-01-08. 
  5. ^ "Alcohol - Somalia" (PDF). WHO. Retrieved 29 November 2014. 
  6. ^ Department of Trade & Industry (26 April 2004). "The National Liquor Act, 59 of 2003" (PDF). Government Gazette 446 (26294). Retrieved 2013-01-08. 
  7. ^ "Sale of alcohol to minors widespread in South Sudan - report". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2013-01-08. 
  8. ^ "Sudan: Country Specific Information". U.S. Department of State. 
  9. ^ Nkwame, Valentine Marc (24 January 2009). "Ugandans ‘drink like fish’". The Arusha Times. Retrieved 2013-01-08. 
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