Why is the US drinking age so high?

The legal drinking age was set to 21 years of age because studies showed that the leading cause of death of people age 1 to 34 accounted for one third of deaths due to unintentional injury from alcohol consumption.

Why can't you drink until 21 in the US?

According to the CDC, drinking below the age of 21 is linked with death from alcohol poisoning, car crashes, drowning, suicide, school performance problems, etc.

Does the US have the highest legal drinking age?

The United States and 11 other countries have an MLDA of 21 years old, the highest MLDA of all the countries where it is legal to drink (although some areas of India have drinking ages as high as 25 and 30 years old).

Why the drinking age should be lowered to 18?

Statistically, fewer drunk driving accidents and deaths occur in countries with a minimum legal drinking age of 18. In the United States, 31% of car accidents result from driving under the influence, or DUI, the third-highest rate in the world.

Why the US should lower its drinking age?

Proponents of lowering the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) from 21 argue that it has not stopped teen drinking, and has instead pushed underage binge drinking into private and less controlled environments, leading to more health and life-endangering behavior by teens.

Why the US drinking age is 21

Would lowering the drinking age help the economy?

Revenue from taxes on the alcohol industry would increase.

About 10% ($7 billion) of the combined total comes from under-21 drinking. If lowering the drinking age increased social costs by 5%, as we guessed above, it would also probably increase consumption by at least 5%. 5% of $7 billion is $350 million.

Why is it 21 to drink?

The act of 1984 was put in place for “all States to raise their minimum drinking age to 21 within 2 years or lose a portion of their Federal-aid highway funds; and encourage States, through incentive grants programs, to pass mandatory sentencing laws to combat drunk driving.” Incentivizing, or rather, as a way of ...

What is the youngest drinking age in the world?

In fact, 64 percent of the world's nations have legal drinking ages of 18. The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time.

Why the drinking age should be raised to 25?

Pros of Raising the Drinking Age to 25

Much research has shown the damaging effects of alcohol on brain development in teens and young adults. The brain is still undergoing crucial developments until age 25, and some scientists have found evidence that it keeps developing until as late as age 30.

What country can you drink at 13?

Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea.

Can you drink in America at 18 if your British?

In the United States, one must be at least 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages (with very few exceptions in some jurisdictions). Surprisingly, this is one of the highest drinking ages in the world.

Can you drink at 16 in Ireland?

Young people and alcohol

You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol in Ireland. It is an offence to: Serve alcohol to a person who is under 18. Pretend to be 18 or over in order to buy alcohol.

Why is the drinking age 21 in the US but 18 everywhere else?

The drinking age was raised back to 21 over federal highway funding. In 1984, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act passed, which stated federal highway funds would be withheld from U.S. states that failed to set the minimum legal drinking age back at 21. By 1988, all the states had adopted the age minimum.

Why is the drinking age 18 in Australia?

However, during the Vietnam War, the age was reduced to 18 on the grounds that a person who could be conscripted to fight and die for their country should also have the right to drink alcohol. By 1974, all states and territories had adopted 18 as the legal drinking age.

Which US states can you drink at 18?

Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.: The legal drinking age is 18 for beer and wine, and 21 for liquor. Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota: The legal drinking age is 18 for 3.2% ABV beer, and 21 for beer stronger than 3.2% ABV, wine, and liquor.

Can you drink at 16 in Italy?

The alcohol age limit in Italy is 18 years old. That means, it is illegal to sell alcohol to minors in either shops, restaurants or bars. That's a little bit more generous than the legal age limit in the USA. In general, ID should be requested in any establishment selling alcohol if there is any doubt over your age.

Can Brits drink at 16?

It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol to a person under 18 years of age. The law provides an exception for minors aged 16 and 17, if they consume a glass of beer, wine or cider with a meal in a restaurant. Otherwise attempting to buy alcohol or buying alcohol as a minor is an offence.

What is the drinking age in Russia?

In Russia, the legal drinking age is usually eighteen. Usually, because there are some exceptions to that case. Technically, stronger alcohol such as cognac and vodka is sold only to those over 21.

What is the legal age to smoke in Japan?

Legal Smoking Age in Japan: 20

Smoking and buying tobacco is illegal in Japan under the age of 20. There are a lot of countries that permit smoking or the purchase of tobacco from age 18 or even younger, but if you're under 20, that is illegal in Japan.

What age can u drink in Canada?

A Brief History of MLDA Changes in Canada

increased their legal drinking age from 18 to 19 years; since this time there have been no further changes to the MLDA in Canada. Currently, the MLDA is 18 years of age in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 years in the rest of the Canadian provinces and territories.

What is the drinking age in Japan?

Especially for people who hail from countries where drinking and smoking starts at 18, the age restrictions in Japan for buying and drinking alcohol, as well as the smoking age in Japan, may be surprising: You must be 20 years old and in possession of a valid ID (for foreigners, a residence card will do).

Can under 18 drink in a restaurant?

Ultimately it is at the discretion of the landlord. The law allows for people under 18 to drink "beer, cider and perry" whilst eating a "meal". The youngster must be seated in an area dedicated to the service and consumption of food.

Is it legal to drink at 18 in the US?

Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws specify the legal age when an individual can purchase alcoholic beverages. The MLDA in the United States is 21 years. However, prior to the enactment of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, the legal age when alcohol could be purchased varied from state to state.