Legal drinking age
1015583
226070563
2008-07-16T18:20:31Z
ClueBot
4928500
Reverting possible vandalism by [[Special:Contributions/202.226.195.69|202.226.195.69]] to version by 71.171.240.72. False positive? [[User:ClueBot/FalsePositives|Report it]]. Thanks, [[User:ClueBot]]. (441706) (Bot)
{{Refimprove|date=July 2007}}The '''legal drinking age''' is a limit assigned by governments to restrict the access of [[child]]ren and [[youth]] to [[alcoholic beverage]]s. In most countries the legal age to purchase alcohol is 18, but there are considerable variations. Laws on consumption of alcoholic beverages vary even more widely. Finally, the degree to which these laws are enforced varies even within jurisdictions.
In some countries all alcoholic beverages are illegal.
{{expand_list}}
== Africa ==
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Country / Region
! colspan=2 | [[De jure]]
! rowspan=2 | Notes
|-
! Drinking Age
! Purchase Age
|-
| [[Algeria]]
| align=center colspan=2| 18<ref name="icap">{{cite web |url=http://www.icap.org/PolicyIssues/YoungPeoplesDrnking/AgeLawsTable/tabid/219/Default.aspx |title=Minimum Drinking and Purchasing Age Laws |accessdate=2007-09-17 |date=February 2007 |publisher=International Center for Alcohol Policies}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Botswana]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Cameroon]]
| align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
| align=center| 21<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Egypt]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18, 21<ref name="icap"/><ref name="who_egypt">[http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/policy_egypt.pdf Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Egypt]</ref>
| For purchases, legal age is 18 for beer, 21 for everything else.
|-
| [[Eritrea]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Ethiopia]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Ghana]]
| colspan=2 align=center| none<ref name="who_policy">{{cite web |url=http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/alcoholpolicycountryprofiles/en/index.html |title=Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy - Country Profiles |accessdate= |publisher=[[World Health Organization]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kenya]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Libya]]
| colspan=2 align=center| illegal<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Malawi]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="who_policy"/>
|
|-
| [[Mauritius]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Morocco]]
| align=center| none<ref name="who_mla">{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.jp/m_kato_clinic/mini-age-alcohol-eng-1.html |title=Minimum Legal Ages for Alcohol Purchase or Consumption Around the World |accessdate= |publisher=[[World Health Organization]]}}</ref>
| align=center| 16<ref name="who_mla"/>
|-
| [[Namibia]]
| align=center colspan=2| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Niger]]
| align=center colspan=2| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[Nigeria]]
| align=center colspan=2| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|A true drinking age has not been established, however 18 is considered "acceptable" since it is the age of most countries
|
|-
|[[South Africa]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="deuce"/>
|
|-
| [[Sudan]]
| colspan=2 align=center| illegal<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[Tunisia]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<!-- not listed in icap survey -->
|
|-
|[[Uganda]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Zambia]]
| align=center colspan=2| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Zimbabwe]]
| align=center colspan=2| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|}
== Americas ==
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Country / region
! colspan=2 | [[De jure]]
! rowspan=2 | Notes
|-
! Drinking Age
! Purchase Age
|-
| [[Antigua]]
| colspan=2 align=center|16
|
|-
| [[Argentina]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="deuce">{{cite web |url=http://thedeuce.dhs.org/agepage.html |title=Minimum Drinking and Purchasing Age Laws |accessdate=2007-11-03 |date=2002 |publisher=The Deuce Media Ltd.}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Bahamas]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Barbados]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
| Those aged 10–17 are allowed to consume alcohol provided they are with a parent.
|-
| [[Belize]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
| However in some provinces of Belize the age could be lower{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
|-
| [[Bermuda]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Bolivia]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Brazil]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Canada]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18 <ref name="icap"/>
| in [[Alberta]], [[Manitoba]] and [[Quebec]]. Underage drinking under adult supervision is permitted in Manitoba and Alberta.
|-
| colspan=2 align=center| 19 <ref name="icap"/>
| in [[British Columbia]], [[Saskatchewan]], [[Ontario]], [[New Brunswick]], [[Nova Scotia]], [[Prince Edward Island]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador]], [[Yukon]], [[Northwest Territories]], [[Nunavut]]. (Legal drinking age legislation falls under provincial jurisdiction.) Underage drinking under adult supervision is permitted in licensed premises in New Brunswick, and at home in the provinces of Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, and Ontario <ref>[http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90l19_e.htm#BK33 Liquor Licence Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.19<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and Saskatchewan.<ref>[http://www.grsproadsafety.org/themes/default/pdfs/Drinking%20Age%20Limits.pdf Drinking Age Limits] - International Center for Alcohol Policies</ref>
|-
| [[Cayman Islands]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caymanislands.ky/faq/default.aspx#QA_1_3
|accessdate=2008-03-05
|title=Cayman Islands - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, Travel and Tourism Site
|date=2008-03-05
|author=Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Chile]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Colombia]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Costa Rica]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Cuba]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 16
|
|-
| [[Dominican Republic]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Ecuador]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Guatemala]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|It is illegal to serve alcohol after 1 AM.
|-
| [[Haiti]]
| colspan=2 align=center|16
|
|-
| [[Honduras]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
|[[Jamaica]]
|colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
|[[Mexico]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html
|accessdate=2008-02-08
|title=Mexico
|publisher=U.S. Department of State
|date=2008-01-22
}}</ref>
|Drinking in the streets or inside a vehicle is illegal.
|-
|[[Nicaragua]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[Panama]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[Paraguay]]
| colspan=2 align=center|21, 18
| 21 in restaurants and bars and 18 to buy in supermarkets.
|-
|[[Peru]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[Trinidad and Tobago]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[United States]]<br>(50 States and D.C.)
| colspan=2 align=center|21
|The [[National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984]] states that revenue will be withheld from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. Some [[U. S. state|states]] do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in [[bar (establishment)|bars]] (usually, the difference between a bar and a [[restaurant]] is whether food is being served). Contrary to popular belief, since the [[National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984]], few states specifically prohibit [[minor]]s' and [[young adults]]' consumption of alcohol in private settings. As of [[January 1]], [[2007]], 14 states and the [[District of Columbia]] ban underage consumption outright, 19 states do not specifically ban underage consumption, and an additional 27 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws. <ref>[http://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/index.asp?Type=BAS_APIS&SEC={0D5C719E-FCE8-4E15-A367-4145C655505F}&DE={E6F19624-0ADC-437F-917D-5E7CBC9F58B9} Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Consumption of Alcohol as of January 1, 2007 ], Alcohol Policy Information System</ref><br>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. <ref>[http://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/index.asp?Type=BAS_APIS&SEC={DA244DAF-EB78-425C-915B-D26D303F9E13}&DE={468A8313-845A-41C8-A6F1-73D42EDD5F24} Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Possession of Alcohol as of January 1, 2007], Alcohol Policy Information System</ref><br> Underage purchase of alcohol, though illegal in all fifty states, is not a felony, but a misdemeanor. See [[Underage drinking in the United States]].
|-
|[[Puerto Rico]] (U.S.)
| colspan=2 align=center|18
|The legal [[Blood Alcohol Content|BAC]] limit for intoxication while driving is 0.08.
|-
|[[US Virgin Islands]] (U.S.)
| colspan=2 align=center|18
|
|-
|[[Uruguay]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[Venezuela]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|}
== Asia ==
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Country / region
! colspan=2 | [[De jure]]
! rowspan=2 | Notes
|-
! Drinking Age
! Purchase Age
|-
| [[Armenia]]
| colspan=2 align=center| none<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Azerbaijan]]
| align=center colspan=2|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[Bahrain]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18 {{Fact|date=January 2008}}
|
|-
|[[Bangladesh]]
|colspan=2 align=center|illegal
|Alcoholic beverages are allowed for foreigners only and also served in hotels and restaurants but otherwise for Muslims, it's illegal.
|-
| [[Bali]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 15
|
|-
| [[Brunei]]
| colspan=2 align=center| illegal
|Muslims are not allowed to drink or possess alcohol, non-Muslim residents and visitors may import small amounts of alcohol for personal consumption. Most restaurants will allow non-Muslim customers to drink their own brought in wine on premises with no corking fee. Public sale of alcohol is illegal.
|-
| [[Cambodia]]
| colspan=2 align=center| none<ref name="who_cambodia">[http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/policy_cambodia.pdf Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Cambodia]</ref>
|
|-
| [[People's Republic of China]]
| align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
| align=center| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|Introduced in January, 2006.<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-01/06/content_510002.htm China bans under-age drinking], China Daily, 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2008-02-03.</ref>.
|-
|[[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
| align=center| none<ref name="icap"/>
| align=center| 16<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
| [[Hong Kong]]
| align=center colspan=2| 18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[India]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18-25 (varies between states)<ref name="icap"/>.
|Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of [[Gujarat]], [[Manipur]] and [[Mizoram]]<ref name="rahman_prohibition">{{cite web| url = http://www.eudnet.net/workshops/workshop10-2002/rahman.pdf| title = Alcohol Prohibition and Addictive Consumption in India| accessdate=2008-03-11}}</ref>.
|-
| [[Indonesia]] (excluding Bali)
| colspan=2 align=center| 21<ref name="icap"/>
|align=center|
|-
| [[Iraq]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|18 years old or above is required to purchase alcohol
|-
|[[Iran]]
|colspan=2 align=center| illegal<ref name="who_iran">[http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/policy_iran.pdf Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Islamic Republic of Iran]</ref>
| Only alcohol used for Jewish or Christian religious ceremonies is allowed.
|-
|[[Israel]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 18
|
|-
|[[Jordan]]
|colspan=2 align=center| 18<ref name="who_jordan">[http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/policy_jordan.pdf Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Jordan]</ref>
|
|-
|[[Japan]]
|colspan=2 align=center|20<ref name="icap"/>
| Regulated by underage drinking prohibition law ([[:ja:未成年者飲酒禁止法]] miseinensha inshu kinshi hou). (Alcohol vending machines widely available.)
|-
|[[Kuwait]]
|colspan=2 align=center|illegal
|Selling alcohol is illegal.
|-
|[[Lebanon]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18
|
|-
|[[Macau]]
|colspan=2 align=center|none<ref name="icap"/>
|align=center|none<ref name="icap"/><ref>[http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/153/entertainment/Far-East-Asia/Macau.html Food and Drink]</ref>
|
|-
|[[Malaysia]]
|align=center|none<ref name="icap"/>
|align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|The sale of alcohol to Muslims is illegal, as is consumption of alcohol by Muslims in public. However, non-Muslims who are 18 years old or over are allowed to buy and drink alcohol.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
|-
|[[Mongolia]]
|align=center colspan=2|18<ref name="who_mongolia">[http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/policy_mongolia.pdf Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Mongolia]</ref>
|
|-
|[[Nepal]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18
|
|-
|[[Oman]]
|colspan=2 align=center|21
| Very few (if any) establishments will serve alcohol during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
|-
|[[North Korea|North Korea (DPRK)]]
|colspan=2 align=center|17
| Alcohol may legally be consumed or purchased only on Saturdays.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
|-
|[[Pakistan]]
| 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.
|-
|[[Philippines]]<ref name="icap"/><ref name="who_philippines">[http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/policy_philippines.pdf Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy, Philippines]</ref>
| align=center|none
| align=center|18 (16)
|
|-
|[[Qatar]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18
|
|-
|[[Russia]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[Saudi Arabia]]
| colspan=2 align=center| illegal
| Forbidden by [[Sharia]] ([[Islamic]] Law, with [[qur'anic]] and other traditional legal inspirations). Offenders are typically punished with lashes.
|-
|[[Singapore]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[South Korea]]
|colspan=2 align=center|19<ref name="icap"/>
|Legal ages are reckoned "from birth", rather than [[East Asian age reckoning]]. South Koreans are 20 or 21 in their own reckoning when they reach legal drinking age.
|-
|[[Sri Lanka]]
| colspan=2 align=center|16<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[Republic of China]] (Taiwan)
| colspan=2 align=center|18<ref>Article 2 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law ([[s:zh:兒童及少年福利法|zh:兒童及少年福利法]]) of the Republic of China, effective since [[2003]]-[[05-28]] in Taiwan Area, defines children and youth as people under the age of 18.</ref>
|
*It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to consume alcohol.<ref>Clause 1 of Section 1 of Article 26 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law ([[s:zh:兒童及少年福利法|zh:兒童及少年福利法]]) of the Republic of China, effective since [[2003]]-[[05-28]] in Taiwan Area</ref>
*Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 shall prohibit underage drinking,<ref>Section 2 of Article 26 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China</ref> or risk administrative fines of 10000 to 50000 [[new Taiwan dollar]]s when the situations are serious.<ref>Section 1 of Article 55 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China</ref>
*One shall not supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.<ref>Section 3 of Article 26 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China</ref> A violator shall be administratively fined 3000 to 15000 new Taiwan dollars.<ref>Section 2 of Article 55 of the Children and Youth Welfare Law of the Republic of China</ref>
|-
|[[Thailand]]
| align=center|none<ref name="icap"/>
| align=center|20<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[United Arab Emirates]]
| align=center colspan=2|21
| [[Dubai]] laws state that no person under the age of 16 may be in a place serving alcohol after 18:00. Alcohol is served only in restaurants and bars attached to hotels. Alcohol is prohibited in [[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]].
|-
|[[Vietnam]]
|align=center|15
|align=center|18
| People under 18 can buy alcohol but in order to purchase alcohol that has more than 4.5 alcohol concentration, you have to be more than 25 years old.
|}
== Europe ==
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Country / region
! colspan=2 | [[De jure]]
! rowspan=2 | Notes
|-
! Drinking Age
! Purchase Age
|-
| [[Albania]]
| colspan=2 align=center| none
|-
| [[Austria]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 16, 18 for [[distilled beverage]]s in some [[States of Austria|states]]
|[[Upper Austria]], [[Salzburg (state)|Salzburg]] and [[Tirol]] prohibit the consumption of distilled beverages below the age of 18, while [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]] and [[Styria (state)|Styria]] prohibit drinks containing more than 12% or 14% of alcohol respectively in this age bracket. Carinthia additionally requires adolescents to maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05%, while Upper Austria prohibits "excessive consumption", and Salzburg prohibits consumption that would result in a state of [[intoxication]]. Prohibitions in [[Vienna]], [[Burgenland]], [[Lower Austria]] and [[Vorarlberg]] apply only to alcohol consumption ''in public''. Vienna additionally prohibits the consumption of alcohol in [[schools]] under the age of 18. <ref>information based on the respective state Youth Protection Laws, available at [http://www.ris.bka.gv.at], as of [[December 11]], [[2007]]</ref>
|-
| [[Belarus]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Belgium]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 16; 18 for strong spirits(20%+)
| No minimum age to drink in private.
|
|-
| [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
| colspan=2 align=center| No minimum age inside or outside bars.
| Around 5% of 13 year olds drink alcohol more than once a week,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.who.int/infobase/reportviewer.aspx?rptcode=ALL&uncode=70&dm=15&surveycode=101595a1
|accessdate=
|title= Health behaviour in school-aged children survey- Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina year 2002
|publisher=WHO
|year=2002
}}</ref> less than half average rate across the European Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euro.who.int/Document/RC55/Febd01.pdf
|format=pdf
|date=
|accessdate=
|title=Report on alcohol in the WHO European Region}}</ref>
|-
| [[Bulgaria]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Croatia]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Cyprus]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 15
|
|-
| [[Czech Republic]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 13
|-
| [[Denmark]]
| align=center| None
| align=center| 16 in shops, 18 if served
| To buy alcohol in bars you need to be 18, however there is no drinking age, and an adult can buy alcohol for you. By tradition youths are privately allowed to drink alcohol after their [[confirmation]]<Ref>[http://alcoholcultureindenmark.webbyen.dk/ Alcohol culture in Denmark]</Ref>. If a shop or bar 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 their age in shops.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=9878
|accessdate=
|title=Lov om forbud mod salg af tobak og alkohol til personer under 16 år
|language=dk
|date=
}}</ref> This card is rarely used though, since a passport or moped-licence can be used. <ref>[http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2006/07/01/.htm Få unge har købt legitimationskort], Danmarks Radio, 01. jul. 2006</ref>
|-
| [[Estonia]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Finland]]
| align=center| No legal drinking age
| align=center| 18 (up to 22% ABV in stores and all alcohol in bars), 20 (all alcohol); alcohol may not be sold to intoxicated customers.
| Beer, cider and alcopops containing up to 4.7% alcohol can be bought in any store, whilst any beverages exceeding that limit must be purchased at [[Alko]]. Although consumption by minors is not prohibited, it is strictly limited to certain rare situations because of various statutes regarding possession and offering. Because of this, legal drinking age is often perceived to be 18 by the general public. Purchase age also applies to possession.
|-
| [[France]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 16; for drinking strong liquor on premises: 18<ref>Code of public health: [http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?commun=&code=CSANPUNL.rcv&art=L3342-1 L3342-1] « [In 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. ». [http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?commun=&code=CSANPUNL.rcv&art=L3342-2 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 [http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?commun=&code=CSANPUNL.rcv&art=L3321-1 L3321-1].
[http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?commun=&code=CSANPUNL.rcv&art=L3342-3 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°).</ref>
| 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.<ref>[http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?commun=&code=CSANPUNL.rcv&art=L3353-3 L3353-3] punishes sales of alcoholic drinks to minors under 16 by a fine, and also possibly imprisonment for repeat offenders.</ref> 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, 18 for [[distilled beverage]]s<ref name="JSchG">German law for the protection of minors [http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/__9.html]</ref>
| Possession or consumption of alcohol by minors is not outlawed, but it is illegal to sell them alcohol or let them drink in public. "Normal" alcoholic beverages (not [[distilled beverage]]s) may be consumed in public when in presence of a legal guardian; drinking in private is not controlled. The restrictions on distilled beverages apply also to mixed drinks containing them.<ref name="JSchG" />
|-
| [[Gibraltar]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 16
| No legal consumption age but it is illegal to supply alcohol to under 16s, including in private homes.
|-
| [[Greece]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 17
|
|-
| [[Hungary]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 18
| Raised to 18 from previous 14 in 2002. However many store owners believe that the minimum age is 14. A study concluded that 54 percent of establishments sell alcohol to minors. <ref>[http://www.origo.hu/itthon/20031112sokboltban.html Sok boltban adnak el cigit a tizenéveseknek]</ref>
|-
|[[Iceland]]
| align=center| 20
| align=center| 20<ref>[http://www.res.is/is/page/practical_information Practical Information] School for Renewable Engergy Science, Iceland</ref>
|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.
|-
|[[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|align=center| 18 in public, none in private<ref name=ireland33><!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|align=center| 18<ref name=ireland33/>
|By law, only a [[passport]], [[driving licence]] or a [[Garda Síochána|Garda]] age card is accepted as proof of age (although not always asked for in practice). ID is required to enter clubs or bars after 21:00. Purchasing alcohol for a minor is illegal. It is illegal to sell alcohol to someone who is drunk.
|-
|[[Isle of Man]]
|align=center|5
|align=center|18 (12)
|As the [[United Kingdom]]<ref>[http://www.gov.im/infocentre/alcohol/chapter3.html {{lang|gv|''Reiltys Ellan Vannin''}} - Alcohol Strategy -]</ref>
|-
|[[Italy]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 16
|There's no law stating a limit of age for drinking any kind of alcoholic drink, art 689 Codice Penale forbid serving alcoholic drinks to minor of 16 in public places like restaurants, pubs, etc. A proposal to increase purchasing age to 18 has been rejected by parliament in 2007
|-
|[[Liechtenstein]]
| colspan=2 align=center|16 for wine, beer and cider <br> 18 for spirits & spirit-based beverages. eg. [[alcopops]]
| Wine, beer and ciders as well as some other party drinks which may not contain spirits can be purchased by the age of 16. Spirits as well as alcopops can be sold only to people above the age of 18.<ref>[http://www.gesetze.li/get_pdf.jsp?PDF=.pdf Jugendgesetz vom 19. Dezember 1979]</ref>
|-
|[[Luxembourg]]
|colspan=2 align=center|16
|
|-
|[[Latvia]]
|align=center|18
|align=center|18
|-
|[[Lithuania]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18
|
|-
|[[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]]
|colspan=2 align=center|18
|
|-
|[[Malta]]
|align=center| none
|align=center|16
|
|-
|[[Moldova]]
|colspan=2 align=center|No minimum age (beer),<br> 18 (wine and spirits)
|
|-
|[[Montenegro]]
|align=center|none
|align=center|18
|
|-
|[[Netherlands]]
|align=center|none
|align=center|16 (under 20% ABV),<br>18 (20% 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]]
|align=center|none<ref> [http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/aid/dok/regpubl/otprp/19961997/Otprp-nr-7-1996-97-/16/3.html?id=299088 Proposition to Odelstinget rejecting the idea of holding minors criminally responsible for the purchase or consumption of alcohol] </ref>
|align=center|18 (under 22% ABV),<br> 20 (over 22% ABV)<ref> [http://www.lovdata.no/all/tl-.html#1-5 Norwegian Alcohol Act] </ref>
|Beer, cider and alcopops containing up to 4.7% alcohol can be bought in any store, whilst any beverages exceeding that limit must be purchased at [[Vinmonopolet]]. A minor buying or attempting to buy alcohol is never held criminally responsible.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} An adult caught buying alcohol to a minor risks fine or prison at worst. 4.7% is only sold between 08.00 and 20.00 in weekdays and 08.00-18.00 saturdays(closed at sundays). Drinking in public poses you in a high risk of getting a fine.
|-
| [[Poland]]
|align=center|18
|align=center|18
| Selling alcohol to people who are already drunk is illegal.
|-
|[[Portugal]]
| align=center| none
| align=center|16
|-
|[[Romania]]
| align=center| none
| 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
| Although there is an age limit, it's quite easy for underaged people to buy alcohol. Alcohol is sold to almost anyone, as is traditional in West Asian and Eastern European countries.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
|-
|[[Serbia]]
|align=center|none
|align=center|18
|
|-
|[[Slovakia]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 18
| Only the seller can be punished.
|-
|[[Slovenia]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 18
|
|-
|[[Spain]]
| align=center| No longer 16. Now 18.
| align=center| 18
| No longer regional drinking age in the Autonomous Community of [[Castile and León]], 16 for low alcoholic beverages (less than 18º).
|-
|[[Sweden]]
| align=center|18 (bars and restaurants)
| align=center|20 ([[Systembolaget]] <ref>[http://www.systembolaget.se/Applikationer/Knappar/InEnglish/Rules+on+selling.htm Systembolaget - Rules on selling]</ref> stores)
18 (beer with 2.25% - 3.5% ABV in normal shops)
| See also [[alcohol in Sweden]]. Bars/clubs often voluntarily choose to have higher age limits than 18, commonly 20 or 23.
|-
|[[Switzerland]]
| colspan=2 align=center|16 for wine, beer and cider <br> 16-18 (varies from canton to canton) for spirits & spirit-based beverages ie. [[alcopops]]
| Switzerland prohibits minors to buy alcohol, but there is no age restriction for the consumption of alcohol. Wine, beer and ciders as well as some other party drinks can be purchased by the age of 16. Spirits as well as alcopops can be sold only to people above the age of 18. If a shop fails to request an ID from the customers, it can be fined.
|-
|[[Turkey]]
| align=center|11<ref name="icap"/>
| align=center|18<ref name="icap"/>
| People under 11 years old are allowed to drink non-distilled beverages while being accompanied by parents.
|-
|[[Ukraine]]
| align=center|21<ref name="icap"/>
| align=center|21<ref name="icap"/>
|
|-
|[[United Kingdom]]
| align=center|5 (Children and Young Persons Act 1933),
16 (Beer/Wine/Cider in Pub/Restaurant if served with a meal and an adult orders it),
Otherwise 18
| align=center|18
It is only illegal for those aged 5-17 to drink alcohol on licensed premises (e.g. a pub or restaurant); they may legally drink alcohol in private,<br>
16 (liqueur chocolates) <!-- NB not 14, which keeps getting added here. The 2003 Act repealed the 1964 act, and raised the 'with meal' age from 13 to 16. -->
|The legal age to purchase alcohol is 18. People aged 16 and 17, may consume wine, beer or cider with a table meal, provided they are with an adult and an adult orders it. (England & Wales only<ref>[http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=Licensing&Year=2003&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=&ActiveTextDocId=&filesize=2963 Consumption of alcohol by children], Section 150, [[Licensing Act 2003]]</ref>, Scotland no adult required to be present<ref>[http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=Licensing&Year=2005&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=&ActiveTextDocId=&filesize=3052 Purchase of alcohol by or for a child or young person] Section 105, Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.</ref>). The legal age for the purchase of liqueur chocolates is 16. Children under 5 must not be given alcohol unless under medical supervision or in an emergency (Children and Young Persons Act 1933).<ref>http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=children+young+persons&Year=1933&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=1109288&ActiveTextDocId=1109297&filesize=1694</ref> You may not buy alcohol for a drunk person on licensed premises. All off-sales are advised to ask for photographic ID if the person looks under 21.
Purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor is illegal in England and Wales.<ref>[http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/9D3480ED-2F4C-40F0-8937-6BC7AEFAC60F/0/Chapter12SaleandSupplyofAlcoholtoChildren.pdf|publisher= Department of Culture Media and Sport]Chapter12 Sale and Supply of Alcohol to Children }}</ref> In Scotland, from 2009 purchasing alcohol for any minor will be made illegal. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoscotland.com/alcohol/displaypage.jsp;jsessionid=B0A9FD30EB7E73F6C35147B443BBEE80?p_applic=CCC&pContentID=70&p_service=Content.show&
|accessdate=
|title=Alcohol: under aged drinking - law
|date=
|publisher=InfoScotland.com
}}</ref>
|
|-
|}
==Oceania==
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Country / region
! colspan=2 | [[De jure]]
! rowspan=2 | Notes
|-
! Drinking Age
! Purchase Age
|-
| [[Australia]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
| Liquor laws vary by state. 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[s]). In New South Wales 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/la1982107/s115.html
|accessdate=2008-02-08
|title=LIQUOR ACT 1982 - SECT 115 Consumption etc of liquor by minor
|publisher=State of New South Wales
|year=1982
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/liquor_info_young_people_underage_offcns.asp
|accessdate=2008-02-08
|title=Underage drinking offences
|date=2008-02-08
|author=NSW Department of Gaming and Racing
}}</ref>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.<ref>[http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/alcohol/key_issues/alcohol_and_young_people Alcohol and young people] - New South Wales police</ref>
In all States, it is illegal to drink in a vehicle and drivers cannot operate a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level higher than 0.05 when on their open license. P and Learner drivers cannot drink at all.
|-
| [[Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 21
|
|-
| [[Fiji]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 21
| Legal Drinking Age was increased from 18 to 21 in 2006 via the LIQUOR ACT 2006
|-
| [[Guam]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Palau]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Solomon Islands]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Vanuatu]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Tonga]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
| [[Tokelau]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 18
|
|-
|[[New Zealand]]
| align=center| none
| align=center| 18
| Alcohol can be sold only by licensed premises, but there is no obligation to serve any person. It is illegal to purchase alcohol if one is already drunk. Drinking on public transport is prohibited unless the vehicle (e.g. ship, train) holds a liquor license. ** Minors (under 18s) 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 in pubs and bars, where persons under the age of 18 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. Usually any person under 18 who is found consuming alcohol in a public place without a guardian will be required to pour it out and if drunk will be returned to their home. Drinking alcohol on private property by people under the age of 18 is not restricted by law. On [[8 November]] [[2006]] the [[New Zealand Parliament]] rejected a bill to return the legal age to 20<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10409844 Strong vote against bill to raise drinking age], NZ Herald, November 8, 2006. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref> after significant lobbying by the Keepit18 group<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10409154 MPs back off from drinking age hike], NZ Herald, November 4, 2006. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref> and others.
|-
| [[Samoa]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18
|
|-
| [[Papua New Guinea]]
| colspan=2 align=center|none
|
|-
| [[Kiribati]]
| colspan=2 align=center| 21
| Liquor Ordinance (Cap.50)
|-
| [[American Samoa]]
| colspan=2 align=center|18
|
|}
{{Lists of countries}}
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
[[Category:Alcohol law]]
[[Category:Drinking culture]]
[[Category:Juvenile law]]
[[Category:Youth rights]]
[[fr:Âge légal pour la consommation d'alcool]]
[[no:Lovlig drikkealder alkohol]]