Legal drinking age

File:Drinking Age - Global.svg

Minimum legal age to purchase alcohol by country:
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The legal drinking age is the minimum age at which a person can legally consume alcoholic beverages. 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 between 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 (one of the exceptions being England and Wales, which have a minimum legal age of five for supervised consumption in private places). Some countries also have different age limits for different types of alcohol drinks.<ref name="IARD" /> Template:Youth rights sidebar

The majority of countries have a minimum legal drinking age of 18.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The most commonly known reason for the law behind the legal drinking age is the effect on the brain in adolescents. Since the brain is still maturing, alcohol can have a negative effect on the memory and long-term thinking. Alongside that, it can cause liver failure, and create a hormone imbalance in teens due to the constant changes and maturing of hormones during puberty.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Some countries have a minimum legal drinking age of 19 to prevent the flow of alcoholic beverages in high schools,<ref>The Impact and Effectiveness of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Legislation in Canada ccsa.ca</ref> while others like the United States have a minimum legal purchasing age of 21 (18 in P.R. and USVI) in an effort to reduce the amount of drunk driving rates among teenagers and young adults.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

There is a concept called underage clubs, where individuals below the legal drinking age are catered for and are served non alcoholic beverages.<ref name=":02">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Africa

The most common minimum age to purchase alcohol in Africa is 18. However, Angola (except Luanda Province), Central African Republic, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali have no laws on the books restricting the sale of alcohol to minors. In Libya, Somalia and Sudan the sale, production and consumption of alcohol is completely prohibited.Template:Synthesis inline

Country	State/ region/ province	De jure		Notes
		Drinking age	Purchase age
Template:Flag		None<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="auto1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Order No. 26-75 (1975), Article 14
Template:Flag		None<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	There is no national legislation prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors.
	Luanda Province	18<ref name="Decreto Executivo nº 87/08 de 10 julho">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Legislation in Luanda Province: It is prohibited to sell alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18. It is also prohibited for minors to buy and consume alcohol.<ref name="Decreto Executivo nº 87/08 de 10 julho"/>
Template:Flag		None	20	Republic of Benin Report to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child CRC/C/BEN/2 (2005): Article 8 of the decree of 10 June 1942 regulating the production, import, advertisement, sale, and consumption of alcohol beverages in French West Africa, prohibits the sale or free supply of alcohol beverages to minors under 20. Article 13 stipulates fines ranging from CFAF 200,000 to CFAF 1 million for such offences, doubled in the case of repeat offences. There are no official measures prohibiting children from consuming alcohol, tobacco or other substances harmful to their health.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Botswana Liquor Act 2008">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> (prohibited for any person to supply)<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL" />	18<ref name="Botswana Liquor Act 2008" />	It is prohibited for any person with a liquor license to sell or supply alcohol beverages to minors under the age of 18 years. Since the law only applies to licenses, it is not prohibited for minors to buy, consume, or possess alcohol beverages.<ref name="Botswana Liquor Act 2008" /> It is also prohibited for any person to expose or supply alcohol to a minor under the age of 18 years.<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL" />
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Code Penal Burundi">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18 (unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian)<ref name="Code Penal Burundi" />	It is prohibited for any person with a liquor license to sell or supply alcohol beverages to unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 years.
Template:Flag		21 18 (if accompanied by a person 21 years of age or older)<ref name="Cameroon Penal Code">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited for any person with a liquor license to sell or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under 18 years of age. The law permits adults from the ages 18 to 21 to consume, purchase and buy alcohol beverages if accompanied by a person 21 years of age or older. Anyone over the age of 21 years may buy or consume alcohol unaccompanied.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Cap Verde Liquor Law">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="Cap Verde Liquor Law"/>	It is prohibited for any person to sell or supply alcohol beverages to minors under the age of 18 years.
Template:Flag		15 (off-premises), or 21 (on-premises)<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited for any person to sell or supply alcohol beverages to minors under the age of 15 years when sold or supplied off-premises (e.g., liquor stores, wine stores, and supermarkets). It is prohibited for any person to sell or supply alcohol beverages to minors under the age of 21 years when sold or supplied on-premises (e.g., restaurants, bars, and cafes).<ref name=":1" />
Template:Flag		None	18	Law 2017-01 Penal Code Chapter 6 Articles 376–378 establish penalties for licensees who permit entry to youth below age 16 unaccompanied by a supervising adult, sell or offer alcohol beverages to youth below age 18 unaccompanied by a supervising adult, or serve a person below age 18 to intoxication.
Template:Flag		18<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited for any person to sell or supply alcohol beverages to minors under the age of 18 years.<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag		18
Template:Flag		None
Template:Flag		21		Law No. 371 of 1956 concerning public shops and the resolutions implementing it
Template:Flag		21<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Penal Code Eritrea">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="Penal Code Eritrea"/>	It is prohibited for any person to sell or serve alcohol beverages to minors under the age of 18 years.
Template:Flag		18<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL"/>		Liquor Licenses Act (1964) Section 27
Template:Flag		21<ref name="Penal of Ethiopia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited for any person to sell, offer, serve or allow to serve alcohol beverages "in substantial quantities" to any infant or young person. The criminal code defines a young person as any person under the age of 18 years. But the Criminal Code Proclamation 414 (2004) states: "Whoever endangers the health of another, intentionally and unscrupulously, by administering or serving, or by causing or permitting to be administered or served, to minors (defined as anyone under the age of 18 years) (...) alcohol beverages or spirituous liquors of such kind or in such quantity as to make their injurious effect certain or probable, is punishable with simple imprisonment not exceeding one year, and fine." The Revised Family Code Proclamation No. 213 (2000) Article 215 defines a minor as anyone who has not attained the full age of 18. In 2019, the Ethiopian parliament passed a bill that bans a specific category of alcohol advertising in the media and also increases the age limit for purchasing alcohol from 18 to 21 years of age.
Template:Flag		None	18	Penal Code (1963), Article 209bis-1
Template:Flag		None<ref name="UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: State Party Report: Gambia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL"/>	16<ref name="UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: State Party Report: Gambia"/><ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL"/>	Under the Liquor License Act (1957) it is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to "anyone under the apparent age of 16". A "young person" is defined as anyone under the age of 17 by the Children and Young Persons Act, 1949 Section 2.
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Ghana LIQUOR LICENSING ACT – 1970">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL"/>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="ALCOHOLIC DRINKS CONTROL ACT KENYA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="ALCOHOLIC DRINKS CONTROL ACT KENYA"/>	It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years.
Template:Flag		18<ref name="LIQUOR LICENSING ACT 1998 LESOTHO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply any alcohol beverage to a minor under the age of 18 years. It is also prohibited for minors to consume, buy or attempt to buy alcohol.
Template:Flag		None	18	It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years; "this section shall not apply to a parent or guardian who serves an alcoholic beverage to his child or ward" Penal Law of 1976 Sec 16.
Template:Flag		Prohibited for all ages<ref name="Penal Code Libya">Template:Cite news</ref>		Previously Article 498 of the Libyan Penal Code prohibited the sale of alcohol beverages to juveniles under the age of 16 years.<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL"/>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Malawi Liquor Act">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years.
Template:Flag		Prohibited for all ages<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Mauritius Child Protection Act, 1995">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell, serve, or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years.
Template:Flag		None	Restricted to 16 for non-Muslims, Prohibited for Muslims	Legislative Decision No. 3.177.66 of 1967 Art 28–29
Template:Flag		18<ref name="Sanções duras para infractores do novo regulamento">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Decree 54/2013 Regulations on the Control of the Production, Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages (2013), Article 5 (Prohibitions)
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Namibia Liquor Act 6 of 1998">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years.
Template:Flag		18		Penal Code Article 302
Template:Flag		None (at national level)<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL"/>	None (all other states) 18 in Abuja Prohibited in Borno	For Abuja: Municipal Area Council Bye-Law 2001 Sec 15
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="LOI N° 4-2010 DU 14 JUIN 2010">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		18		Organic Law implementing the Penal Code N°01/2012/OL Articles 217 and 219
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="N° 3097/MINT/DAGAT/DEL/DB">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		18 <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	18	Chapter 113 Licenses Act (2010) Subsidiary Legislation: Licenses (Manufacturing) Regulation (1987), Article 8(5)(page 20): In the case of manufacturing and processing of liquor, tobacco and tobacco products, the license holder shall (i) not deliver or sell liquor to, or allow any consumption of liquor by, any person under the age of 18 years or deliver or sell tobacco or tobacco products or allow it to be used on the premises by such a person; Subsidiary Legislation: Licenses (Liquor and Outdoor Entertainment) Regulations (1998), Article 14 (page 28): (1) The holder of a license, his servant or agent shall not (a) employ or allow a person under the age of 18 years, ... (b) sell or deliver liquor, cigarettes or tobacco products to, or allow liquor to be consumed or cigarettes or any tobacco products to be used by any person under the age of 18 years on the premises; ... (i) admit any person under the age of 18 years to a premises licensed as a public bar, toddy bar or at the premises licensed to manufacture and sell baka or lapire;...
Template:Flag		Prohibited for all ages<ref name="Acsom">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL"/>
Template:Flag		Restricted to non-Muslims Muslims: Prohibited for all ages Non-Muslims: Unknown<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Penal Code 1991, Art 78–79
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Tanzania Law of the Child Act 2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL"/>	20<ref name="auto1"/> 18 (beer, wine and cider)	Ordinance No. 34 of 1967 Code of alcohol beverage outlets and anti-alcoholism measures Art 29
Template:Flag		None	18	Law 2004-75 Article 4 prohibits entry to night clubs to those under 18 with an exception for accompanied persons between 16 and 18 in certain venues, sale of alcohol beverages to whom is prohibited.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Liquor Act 1960, Uganda">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18 16 (wine, beer, porter, cider, perry or native liquor with meal)<ref name="Liquor Act 1960, Uganda"/>	It is prohibited for any licensee to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. The law provides an exception for anyone who is 16 or 17 years of age, and consumes a fermented alcohol drink with a meal, in a part of a licensed premises that serves meals and is not a bar.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="ACPF: MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL"/>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="Liquor Licensing Act 2011, Zambia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref> 16 (traditional beer)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	It is prohibited for any person with a liquor license, to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under 18 years of age. Before the Liquor Licensing Act was enacted in 2011, the minimum age to sell, serve and supply alcohol beverages was 14 years.<ref>The Liquor Act, 1959 – Section 46</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="CHILDREN'S ACT ZIMBABWE">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18 (except with parent or guardian consent)	Liquor Act Article 116 Prohibited conduct by persons in general (1) No person shall— ... (l) being a person to whom in terms of this Act the sale of liquor is prohibited, purchase or attempt to purchase liquor in contravention of such provision; .... (o) sell, lend, give, supply or deliver, or offer so to do, any liquor to any person under the age of eighteen years except with the consent of the parent or guardian of that person. Children's Act Section 78 – It is prohibited for any person to sell, lend, give, supply, deliver or offer alcohol beverages to any child under the age of 16 years, except upon production of a written order signed by the parent or guardian of the child known to such person. The police has the duty to seize any alcohol beverage in the possession of a child under the age of 16 years without a written consent of the parents or legal guardian.<ref name="CHILDREN'S ACT ZIMBABWE" />

Americas

In Central America, the Caribbean, and South America the legal drinking age and legal purchase age varies from 0 to 20 years (see table below). In South America in particular, the legal purchase age is 18 years, with two exceptions:

• In Paraguay, the legal drinking age and purchase age is 20 years.
• In Guyana, minors aged 16 or 17 may consume a glass of beer or wine in a restaurant provided they buy a meal.

In North America the legal drinking age and legal purchase age varies from 18 to 21 years:

• In Mexico, the drinking age is 18 in all states.
• In the United States, the minimum legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages is mainly 21 years of age; the two exceptions are Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where the age is 18. The legal drinking age varies by state, and many states have no age requirements for supervised drinking with one's parents or legal guardians.
• In Canada, most provinces have a minimum age of 19 years to buy or consume alcohol, while in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, the minimum age is 18 years. Several provinces permit minors to consume alcohol if it was served to them by their parents/guardians, and it is consumed under their supervision in their home.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For further information see Template:Section link.

In the late 20th century, much of North America changed its minimum legal drinking ages (MLDAs) as follows:

In the 1970s, provincial and state policy makers in Canada and the United States moved to lower MLDAs (which were set at 21 years in most provinces/territories and states) to coincide with the jurisdictional age of majority — typically 18 years of age.... As a result, MLDAs were reduced in all Canadian provinces [and] in more than half of US states. In Canada, however, two provinces, Ontario [in 1979] and Saskatchewan [in 1976], quickly raised their subsequent MLDAs from 18 to 19 years in response to a few studies demonstrating an association between the lowered drinking age and increases in alcohol-related harms to youth and young adults, including increases in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and alcohol intoxication among high school students. Following MLDA reductions in the US, research in several states provided persuasive evidence of sharp increases in rates of fatal and nonfatal MVAs appearing immediately after the implementation of lower drinking ages. These scientific findings galvanized public pressure on lawmakers to raise MLDAs and, in response, the federal government introduced the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which imposed a reduction of highway funds for states if they did not increase their MLDA to 21 years. All states complied and implemented an MLDA of 21 years by 1988.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}

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Country	State/ region/ province	De jure		Notes
		Drinking age	Purchase age
Template:Flag		None<ref name="L075-00-Liquor Licences Act">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="L075-00-Liquor Licences Act"/>	It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol drinks to anyone under the age of 18 years. Violating the regulation is punished with a $9,600 fine.
Template:Flag		None	16 (on premises) None (off premises)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The sale and distribution of alcohol to a person under 16 years of age, and purchase by persons under 16 years of age, for consumption in licensed premises are prohibited. ID is rarely requested.
Template:Flag		None	18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Drinking age is rarely enforced. ID is almost never requested.
Template:Flag		18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited for any adult to sell, serve or supply any alcohol beverage to a child (defined as anyone under the age of 18 years). The law provides an exception to treat an illness in urgent cases or upon order by a medical doctor.
Template:Flag		None	18<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	It is prohibited to sell or serve any alcohol beverage to anyone under the age of 18 years. Previously 16, the President of the Barbados Road Safety Association pushed to raise the drinking age to 18 years because the law was often violated.<ref>Henry, Anesta. "Lawmakers Raise Drinking Age to 18." Barbados Today. 12 May 2021. Link to article</ref><ref>Barbados Happy Hours: Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking in Barbados. Link to article</ref>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="Liquor Licences Act BVI">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Drinking age is rarely enforced. ID is almost never requested.
Template:Flag		18<ref name="Liquor Licences Act Bermuda">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell or serve any alcohol beverage to a child under the age of 18 years.
Template:Flag		None	18	It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol beverages to minors under the age of 18 years. Law 259 Against the Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages (2012) Article 20
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Brazil Lei 13.106/2015">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="Brazil Lei 13.106/2015"/>	It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply any alcohol beverage to a person under 18 years of age. The presidential law enacted on 17 March 2015 made any violation of the law a criminal offence. Any adult person selling, serving, giving or supplying alcohol beverages to a minor is punished with imprisonment of 2 to 4 years, a fine of R$3.000 to R$10.000 and a ban to operate any business selling or serving alcohol.
Template:Flag		16<ref name="Liquor Licences Act BVI"/>		It is prohibited to sell or to supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 16. ID is rarely requested.
Template:Flag	Template:Flag Template:Flag Template:Flag	18<ref name="Alberta GAMING AND LIQUOR ACT"/><ref name="Manitoba The Liquor and Gaming Control Act"/><ref name="Quebec ACT RESPECTING LIQUOR PERMITS"/>		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Manitoba a person must not give, sell or otherwise supply liquor to a minor. The law provides exceptions for a doctor, dentist, pharmacist or other health care professional for medical purposes; for sacramental purposes and by the parent, guardian, spouse or common-law partner, if it is given or supplied in a residence.<ref name="Manitoba The Liquor and Gaming Control Act">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Quebec the law prohibits the sale of alcohol beverages to a minor under the age of 18 years.<ref name="Quebec ACT RESPECTING LIQUOR PERMITS">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flag Template:Flag Template:Flag Template:Flag Template:Flag Template:Flag Template:Flag Template:Flag Template:Flag Template:Flag	None	19	Ontario's Liquor Licence Act permits the supply and consumption of liquor to those under the age of 19. However, supplying a person under the age of 19 is restricted to the person's parent or legal guardian, and may only occur in a residence or in a private place of the parent or legal guardian. A person under the age of 19 who was supplied liquor in this manner is permitted to consume the liquor only in the place it was supplied.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="LIQUOR LICENSING LAW">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is also prohibited for any minor to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol beverages. Violation of the law is punished with a fine of five thousand dollars, and the court may, if the offence was committed by the licensee, order that the licensee shall forfeit his licence and that no licence may be issued to that person for a period not exceeding ten years from the date of his conviction.
Template:Flag		18<ref name="IARD">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The minimum age is 18 to enter an enclosure that sells alcohol beverages. Selling alcohol to a minor may incur 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Colombia LEY 124 DE 1994">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The law prohibits the sale of alcohol to a minor (anyone under the age of 18 years). It is not prohibited for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol.<ref name="Colombia LEY 124 DE 1994"/>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Costa Rica Ley n.º 7633">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The law prohibits the sale of alcohol to a minor (anyone under the age of 18 years). Selling alcohol to a minor will be punished with a fine equivalent to ten basic salaries. Whoever permits minors to maintain in any establishment which main purpose is to sell alcohol beverages, will be sanctioned with a fine equivalent to five salaries. It is not prohibited for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol.<ref name="Costa Rica Ley n.º 7633"/>
Template:Flag		None	16<ref name="Cuba CODIGO PENAL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	16	Laws of Dominica Liquor Licences Act Chapter 70:03, Part IV, Sec 15(f)
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Alcohol y menores">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Ley Ecuador">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell alcohol beverages to a minor under the age of 18 years of age. The law obligates establishments to place a visible notice at the point of sale and to check identification to enforce the law. However it is not prohibited for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol.<ref name="Ley Ecuador"/>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="LEY REGULADORA DE LA PRODUCCION Y COMERCIALIZACION DEL ALCOHOL Y DE LAS BEBIDAS ALCOHOLICAS">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is strictly prohibited to sell or serve alcohol beverages to a minor under the age of 18 years. Violation of the law is punished with ₡25,000.00 and if convicted once more the license will be suspended for a period of six months. It is legal for minors to buy, attempt to buy and consume alcohol.<ref name="LEY REGULADORA DE LA PRODUCCION Y COMERCIALIZACION DEL ALCOHOL Y DE LAS BEBIDAS ALCOHOLICAS"/>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="Control of Drinking by Juveniles Ordinance 1993">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited for any adult to sell, give or provide alcohol to a minor under the age of 18 years in any public place or licensed premises. Parents may permit their children to consume alcohol on private premises. Minors consuming alcohol in public are committing a criminal offence. The law provides exceptions for the consumption of alcohol by minors for prescription of or at the direction of a government medical officer or in the course of the administration of Holy Communion according to the rites of any Christian denomination.<ref name="Control of Drinking by Juveniles Ordinance 1993"/>
Template:Flag		None	16 None (off-premise)	Chapter 174 Liquor Dealers' Licenses Act (1988), accessible through the Laws of Grenada Portal
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Guatemala DECRETO NUMERO 90-97">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply any alcohol drink to a minor under 18 years of age on any establishment or in the street.
Template:Flag		None	18 16 (on-premise for wine or malt liquor with a meal)<ref name="Guyana Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	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.<ref name="Guyana Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act"/>
Template:Flag		None	None (at national level)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Senate voted on a proposed Law on the protection of minors from alcohol beverages, to establish a legal purchase age of 18 and related implementation measures, in December 2012. The law has not yet been approved and enacted. Law prohibiting minors entry to entertainment venues Article 1 prohibits those under the age of 16 from entering cinemas and theaters (except during children's programming), clubs, cafes, or venues licensed to sell alcohol beverages.
Template:Flag		None	18	Law for Police Enforcement and Social Coexistence Decree 226 (2001) Article 68 bans the sale of alcohol to minors; The definition of punishable gang activity for minors aged 12–18 includes drinking alcohol beverages in public places (Art 90–91). Code of Children and Adolescents Decree 73 (1996)
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Child Care and Protection Act Jamaica">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell or serve any alcohol beverage to a child (which is defined as anyone under the age of 18 years).<ref name="Child Care and Protection Act Jamaica"/>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="IARD"/>		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="PROHIBICIÓN VENTA DE LICOR A MENORES DE DIECIOCHO AÑOS">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	20<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	18	Liquor Licences Act Sec 32(f)
Template:Flag		None	16	Chapter 13.17 Liquor Licence Act Art 37
Template:Flag		None	16<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Chapter 342 Liquor License Act (1990), Sections 27 and 28
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Liquor Licenses Act Trinidad and Tobago">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to child under the age of 18 years. It is also prohibited for an adult to send a child to buy alcohol on behalf. It is not prohibited for children to buy or consume alcohol.<ref name="Liquor Licenses Act Trinidad and Tobago"/>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="Liquor Licenses Act Turks and Caicos Islands">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to serve or sell liquor to a young person under the age of eighteen years. Minors under the age of sixteen years may not present in a licensed premises mainly serving and selling alcohol beverages.<ref name="Liquor Licenses Act Turks and Caicos Islands"/>
Template:Flag	(50 states)	Varies by state<ref name="IARD"/>	21<ref name="IARD"/>	The National Minimum Drinking Age Act requires all states and territories to have a minimum purchasing age of 21 or lose ten percent of their federal highway funding. The act does not apply to the age of alcohol consumption (i.e., states may allow alcohol consumption by those under 21 years of age without penalty). Exceptions to the drinking age are governed by state law. 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). Only a few states prohibit minors and young adults from consuming alcohol in private settings. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism maintains a database that details state-level regulations on consumption and sale age limits.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flag	18		Law 118 Penalties for Provision of Alcoholic Beverages to Minors under 18 years of age (1984)
	Template:Flag	18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None	18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Only selling alcohol to minors under the age of 18 is prohibited, consumption and purchase by minors is not prohibited.
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="LEY N° 28681">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

United States

File:Underage consumption map 2007.gif

Exceptions to the minimum age of 21 for drinking alcohol in the United States, as of 1 January 2007

In the United States, the minimum legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages has mainly been 21 years of age since shortly after the passage of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984. The two exceptions are Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where the age is 18. The legal drinking age varies by state, and many states have no age requirements for supervised drinking with one's parents or legal guardians.

Despite a rekindled national debate in 2008 on the established drinking age (initiated by several university presidents), a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll found in September 2008 that 76% of New Jerseyans supported leaving the legal drinking age at 21 years.<ref name="publicmind.fdu.edu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> No significant differences emerged when considering gender, political affiliation, or region. However, parents of younger children were more likely to support keeping the age at 21 (83%) than parents of college-age students (67%).<ref name="publicmind.fdu.edu" />

Seventeen states (Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wyoming) and the District of Columbia have laws against possession of alcohol by minors, but they do not prohibit its consumption by minors.

Fourteen states (Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin, and Virginia) specifically permit minors to drink alcohol given to them by their parents or by someone entrusted by their parents.Template:Citation needed

Many states also permit the drinking of alcohol under the age of 21 for religious or health reasons.

Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, has maintained a drinking age of 18.

United States customs laws stipulate that no person under the age of 21 may bring any type or quantity of alcohol into the country.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Asia

Country	De jure		Notes
	Drinking age	Purchase age
Template:Flag	Prohibited for all ages<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	None<ref name="ՎԱՐՉԱԿԱՆ ԻՐԱՎԱԽԱԽՏՈՒՄՆԵՐԻ ՎԵՐԱԲԵՐՅԱԼ ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՕՐԵՆՍԳԻՐՔ" />	18<ref name="ՎԱՐՉԱԿԱՆ ԻՐԱՎԱԽԱԽՏՈՒՄՆԵՐԻ ՎԵՐԱԲԵՐՅԱԼ ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՕՐԵՆՍԳԻՐՔ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	There are no laws mandating alcohol vendors to ID potential underage drinkers. ID checks are very rarely, if ever, carried out<ref name="ՎԱՐՉԱԿԱՆ ԻՐԱՎԱԽԱԽՏՈՒՄՆԵՐԻ ՎԵՐԱԲԵՐՅԱԼ ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՕՐԵՆՍԳԻՐՔ" /> Criminal Code the Republic of Armenia (2003), Article 166: "Involvement, by a person who reached 18 years, of a child into regular use of alcohol drinks... is punished with correctional labor for up to 1 year, or with arrest for the term of 1–2 months, or with imprisonment for the term of 5 years"
Template:Flag	None<ref name="Sosium – Siqaret qadağası gündəmdə">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="Sosium – Siqaret qadağası gündəmdə" />	Law No. 499-IG on Children's Rights (1998)
Template:Flag	21<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	21<ref name="IARD"/>	21 (for non-Muslims and foreigners) (Muslims require medical prescription for purchasing)<ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	In 2021, reforms were introduced to alcohol regulations, for the first time a minimum age was defined, 21 years was chosen. Muslims can consume alcohol if they obtain a medical prescription.<ref name="auto"/>
Template:Flag	None	18<ref name="bhutan">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Prohibited (for Muslims and public consumption) 17 (for non-Muslims' private residence consumption)<ref name="IARD"/>	Prohibited for all ages<ref name="IARD" />	Non-Muslims over 17 years of age are allowed to import alcohol not to exceed maximum total volume 2 litres of liquor and 12 cans of beer at 330 mL for personal use, once in 48 hours. This alcohol must be "stored and consumed at the place of residence of the importer" and is "not to be given, transferred or sold to another person.".<ref name="IARD"/>
Template:Flag	None		The Health Ministry drafted a law to regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol in June 2015, with emphasis on establishing a minimum legal purchase age of 21 and preventing underage drinking. The draft law has not yet been enacted.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	None	18<ref name="IARD"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ministry of Commerce Decree No. 25 (2006)
Template:Flag	17<ref name="Drinking age Cyprus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18	It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 years, and for those under 17 years old to consume alcohol beverages.<ref name="Drinking age Cyprus" />
Template:Flag	None<ref name="Georgia" />	18<ref name="Georgia">Template:Cite book</ref>	Under the Law on Protecting Minors from Harmful Influences 2001 the sale of alcohol beverages to minors is prohibited.<ref name="Georgia" /> Juvenile Justice Code (2015) Article 3 defines minors as those under 18.
Template:Flag	None	18<ref>Template:Cite Hong Kong ordinance, with reference to Template:Cite Hong Kong ordinance</ref>	Private drinking is also not regulated.<ref>Regulation of underage drinking, Legislative Council, 24 April 2017.</ref>
Template:Flag	18–25 (varies by jurisdiction)<ref name="IARD"/> 21 is the legal drinking age in the majority of the states of India<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}18 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Puducherry, Rajasthan, and Sikkim.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 21 in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 25 in Maharashtra,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Meghalaya and Punjab.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Manipur, and Nagaland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Flag	21<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Prohibited in Banda Aceh and Papua		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Qanun Laws of Aceh No. 6 Year 2014,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Regional Regulation of Papua Province No.15 Year 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Prohibited for all ages<ref name="IARD"/>		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	No limit in private places, 18 in public spaces<ref>Law to control alcohol intoxication (2010)</ref>	18<ref name="IARD"/>	Israel law prohibits selling or serving alcohol to minors. Minors are prohibited to drink alcohol in public places and the police may confiscate alcohol drinks from them.
Template:Flag	20<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	18		Instructions issued by the Ministry of Interior Concerning Liquor Store Permits (2010), Article 6
Template:Flag	None	21	Law 235 of 2014 Code of Administrative Offences Section 200
Template:Flag	Prohibited for all ages<ref name="IARD" />		Law No. 46 (1964)
Template:Flag	None	18<ref name="IARD" />	Law No.269 Government Regulation of the Production and Sale of Alcohol (2009), Article 13.2
Template:Flag	None	18<ref name="IARD" />	Penal Code (1943), Articles 625–626 (promulgated by Legislative Decree No. 340 (2011) According to a global school health study, 40% of minors over 13 drink alcohol and up to 25% buy it from stores.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	None<ref name="IARD" />
Template:Flag	None	Restricted to non-Muslims Prohibited for Muslims 21 for non-Muslims<ref name="IARD" />	Food Act 1983 Food Regulations (1985) Regulation 361 (2014) and Food (Amendment) Regulations 2016 Increased from 18 to 21 in December 2017, effective 16 October 2018. Anyone caught selling to persons under 21 can be fined up to RM10,000 and jailed up to 2 years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Malaysian identity cards display the word "ISLAM" if the holder is Muslim (and otherwise blank if the holder is non-Muslim) on the bottom right corner, which allows enforcement of the religion-based sales restriction.
Template:Flag	Restricted to tourists Prohibited for citizens 18 for tourists<ref name="IARD" />		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	21 / 18 with parent consent<ref name="who_mongolia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	21<ref name="who_mongolia" />	Those under 21 are prohibited from drinking alcohol; parents and guardians are prohibited from supplying alcohol to those under 18.
Template:Flag	None	18	Child Law (1993) Art 65 Excise Act (1958) Art 40(7)
Template:Flag	None	18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	18
Template:Flag	21<ref name="IARD" />		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Prohibited (for Muslims) 21 (for non-Muslims)<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>		Prohibited for Muslims. Purchase age for Non-Muslims is 21.
Template:Flag	16<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>		Legal in most cities.<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>
Template:Flag	None	18	Minors (defined as under 18 years old) are prohibited to purchase alcohol and adults are prohibited to purchase or provide alcohol to minors. Minors are not prohibited to consume alcohol. Act Regulating the Access of Minors to Alcohol Section 4
Template:Flag	Prohibited (for Muslims) 21 (for non-Muslims)<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>	21	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Prohibited for all ages<ref name="IARD" />		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	None<ref name=":3">Template:Singapore legislation</ref> 18 (at licensed premises)	18<ref name=":3" />	It is prohibited to sell alcohol to those under 18. Anyone caught selling, furnishing or acquiring alcohol in any licensed premise to persons below 18 can be fined up to $10,000. It is also prohibited for minors to purchase, or attempt to purchase alcohol from any licensed premises, in which the minors can also be fined up to $10,000. However, the authorities rarely enforced this on minors. It is technically legal for minors to possess and consume alcohol at home and in public (not in any licensed premises) as there is no law prohibiting it. It is also technically legal for someone to purchase alcohol and pass it to minors outside the store or licensed premise.<ref name=":3" />
Template:Flag	None	19<ref name="law.go.kr">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	-19 years}} and 31 December {{#time:Y|-19 years}} both turned 19 years of age at the same time on 1 January {{#time:Y}} and hence, both of them are considered to be of legal age to purchase and consume alcohol on and after that date, despite the latter being only 18 years and 1 day old based on western age. The method of calculating the legal age for alcohol slightly differs from Korean age reckoning in which another one year will be added to the person's age, whereas this method only doesn't take into account the month and day of birth but only the year instead.<ref name="law.go.kr"/> On 28 June 2023, the law that requires measuring age in the western way came into force. However, the previous system to determine the age to drink alcohol will be maintained.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	None	21 (for men)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> prohibited (for women)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Sri Lanka is the only country which has banned the purchase of alcohol based on gender.
Template:Flag	18<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>
Template:Flag	18<ref>Protection of Children and Youth Welfare and Rights Act (zh:兒童及少年福利法) of the Republic of China; Article 2 of defines children and youth as people under the age of 18.</ref>		Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 shall not supply alcohol to them or risk administrative fines of 10000 to 50000 new Taiwan dollars (Art 55). No person shall supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 (Art 91).
Template:Flag	None / 20	18<ref name="IARD" />	Sale to minors under 18 years old is prohibited by Article 12 of Law No. 451 on State Regulation of Production and Turnover of Ethyl Alcohol and Alcohol Products.<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/> Parents are required to forbid their children who have not reached age 20 to consume alcohol beverages.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	None	20<ref name="Thai_drinking" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:See also
Template:Flag	None	21<ref name="auto1"/> Prohibited in airports and stores	Law on Prevention of the Harmful Impact of Alcohol 2018 Art. 22-2 Law no Trade Art. 33 Code of Administrative Offences Art. 315, 356
Template:Flag	18 in Abu Dhabi 21 in most Northern Emirates and Dubai Prohibited in Sharjah<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	21 Completely prohibited in Sharjah	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Previously, expatriate non-Muslim residents had to request a liquor permit to purchase alcohol beverages, but it was prohibited for such holders to provide drinks to others.<ref name="Guidelines">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> The legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi (although a Ministry of Tourism by-law allows hotels to serve alcohol only to those over 21), and 21 in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (except Sharjah, where drinking alcohol is prohibited).<ref name=":0" /> It is a punishable offence to drink, or to be under the influence of alcohol, in public.<ref name=":0" />
Template:Flag	None	21<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	In 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol and nicotine products to those under 21 years of age, increasing it from 20 years.
Template:Flag	18<ref name="IARD" />		Decree 94/2012/ND-CP on Liquor Production and Trading (2012), Article 19.7
Template:Flag	Prohibited for all ages<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Exception is in Aden Region where it's legal for 21 and up<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Europe

File:Konsumverbot.svg

Laws banning minors from consuming alcohol in public/private:
Template:LegendTemplate:LegendTemplate:Legend

Most countries in Europe have set 18 as the minimum age to purchase alcohol. Although Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal and Switzerland (except Ticino) maintain a minimum purchase age below 18 years, minors are permitted either full or limited access to alcohol. In 2005,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 2007<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and 2015<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> harmonization at the European Union level toward a minimum purchase age of 18 was discussed, but not agreed.

Timeline of changes to drinking/purchase age or laws restricting the access to alcohol for minors:

• In 2002 the Spanish autonomous-communities Madrid,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Valencia<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Catalonia<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> raised their minimum purchase age to 18 years. Previously, Valencia and Madrid had a minimum purchase age of 16 years, and in Catalonia minors aged 16 or 17 could purchase alcohol up to 23% ABV on- and off-premise.

• In 2004 Denmark<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> raised its off-premise purchase age from 15 to 16 years.

• In November 2005 Switzerland passed its Food and Commodities Regulation<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (German: Lebensmittel- und Gebrauchsgegenständeverordnung), introducing a ban on alcohol sales to anyone under the age of 16. The Alcohol Law<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (German: Alkoholgesetz) passed in 1980 requires a minimum age of 18 years for the retail sale of distilled spirits. Therefore, it is prohibited to sell fermented alcohol (e.g. beer, wine, sparkling wine or cider) to anyone under the age of 16, and any distilled alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. The canton of Ticino has a cantonal law since 1989 that makes the purchase age limit for all alcohol beverages 18 years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• In 2006 the Spanish autonomous community Castile and León<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> raised its minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 years.

• In late 2006, Gibraltar<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> lawmakers passed the Children and Young Persons (Alcohol, Tobacco and Gaming) Act 2006, which raised the minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 years. But the new law made an exception: minors aged 16 or 17 can purchase and consume beer, wine or cider under 15% ABV on-premise, and pre-packed containers of an alcohol strength not exceeding 5.5% ABV (e.g. alcopops).

• In 2009 France<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> raised its minimum purchase age to 18 years,<ref name="SantePublique3">Law passed on 23 July 2009.</ref><ref name="SantePublique4">French Public Health Code, Art L3353-4.</ref> and fines were increased for selling or serving alcohol to a minor (up to €7,500). Previously, the minimum age was 16 years for off-premise and on-premise purchases of low-alcohol beverages (up to 3% ABV) such as wine, beer, cider, perry, mead, crème de cassis and juices from fermented fruits or vegetables that contain 1.2 to 3° alcohol, natural sweet wines from controlled cultivation and 18 for higher-ABV beverges.

• In October 2009, the government of Malta<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> passed a new law raising its drinking and purchase age from 16 to 17 years.

• In 2010 the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia raised its minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• In 2011 Denmark<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> passed a law raising the minimum age for off-premise sale of alcohol beverages of >16.5% ABV to 18 years of age. The minimum age to purchase alcohol beverages of <16.5% ABV remains 16.

• In March 2012 Moldova raised the minimum purchase age to 18, from 16 previously.<ref name="Art. 30">[Art.30 lit.j) în redacţia LP22 din 01.03.12, MO92/15.05.12 art.290]</ref><ref name="LEGE Nr. 1100" />
• Italy raised its minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 in 2012. Previously Italy did not have a purchase age for off-premise sales, and the minimum age of 16 years for on-premise sales was not well enforced.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Template:As of, the minimum legal purchase and consumption age was raised from 16 to 18 in the Netherlands. Previously young people over the age of 16 could purchase and consume alcohol beverages of <15% ABV, and those aged 18 and over could purchase all alcohol beverages.<ref name="Alcohol in de wet">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Template:As of, the Spanish autonomous community of Asturias raised its drinking age from 16 to 18 years. Asturias was Spain's last community with a drinking age of 16 years. The new law brings the drinking age into line with the rest of Spain, with the exception of Balearic Islands where no purchase age limit is set.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• In 2013 the government of Portugal restricted alcohol sales to young people: distilled spirits cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18, and other alcohol beverages (e.g. beer, wine, or cider) cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 16. Previously the minimum age for all alcohol beverages was 16 years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>. Template:As of, Portugal harmonized its minimum drinking age to 18 years across all beverage types. Previously the purchase age was 16 years for low-alcohol beverages such as beer, wine or cider.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Template:As of, Lithuania raised its minimum drinking age from 18 to 20 years.<ref name="Seimas adopted amendments on reduction of alcohol consumption" />
• From January 2019 the federal states of Austria decided to align their drinking and purchase ages. The states Burgenland, Lower Austria and Vienna therefore raised their age limits for alcohol beverages containing spirits to 18. Prior to 2019 these states had a general drinking and purchase age of 16 years. The sale and consumption of beer, wine and other fermented alcohol beverages is now prohibited to children and young people under the age of 16 years, and the sale and consumption of spirits to minors under the age of 18 years is prohibited throughout Austria.<ref name="austria">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Country	Administrative division	De jure				Notes
		Drinking age<ref name="Eyes On Age">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Purchase age
		Private	Public	On-premise	Off-premise
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="albania">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="albania" />		The sale of alcohol beverage in bars, restaurants or other licensed premises, as well as other points of sale, is prohibited to minors under the age of 18 years. Vendors and operators of licensed premises are required to post a clearly legible notice in A4 format stating "Ndalohet shitja e alkoolit personave nën 18 vjeç" (It is prohibited to sell alcohol beverages to people under 18 years). Consumption by those under age 18 in public places is prohibited.<ref name="albania" />
Template:Flag		None<ref name="andorra" />	18<ref name="andorra">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="andorra" />		Selling, serving or supplying alcohol beverages is prohibited as well as public consumption of alcohol beverage by minors under the age of 18 years.<ref name="andorra" />
Template:Flag		None Template:Citation needed	16 (beer, wine and cider) 18 (distilled beverages)<ref name="austria" />			The age limits are set out by the legislation of each federal state but were harmonized in January 2019.<ref name="austria" /> Carinthia also requires 16-18-year-olds to maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05%.<ref name="Rauchen und Alkohol">Rauchen und Alkohol State legislation</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="МУС Беларусі прапануе забараніць курэнне і ўжыванне алкаголю для асоб, маладзейшых за 18 гадоў">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="МУС Беларусі прапануе забараніць курэнне і ўжыванне алкаголю для асоб, маладзейшых за 18 гадоў" />
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Vente et consommation d'alcool en Belgique" />		18 for distilled beverages of higher than 1.2%ABV and fermented beverages of higher than 22%ABV 16 for other alcohol beverages<ref name="Vente et consommation d'alcool en Belgique">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Since 10 January 2010, it is prohibited to "sell, serve, or offer" any distilled alcohol beverages to those under the age of 18 or any alcohol beverage to those under 16.<ref name="Vente et consommation d'alcool en Belgique" /> Previously, it was prohibited to sell alcohol drinks to under-16s, but accompanying adults could buy drinks for them.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Drinking age Bosnia" />		18<ref name="Drinking age Bosnia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Selling alcohol to a minor under the age of 18 years is an offence. The law does not prohibit minors from buying, attempting to buy or consuming alcohol.<ref name="Drinking age Bosnia" /> Law on Public Peace and Order (2015) Article 25 prohibits providing alcohol beverages to minors. Law on Internal Trade (2010), Article 10 prohibits the sale in the retail trade of alcohol beverages to persons under 18 years of age.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Деца и юноши под 18 години" />		18<ref name="Деца и юноши под 18 години">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell or offer alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18.<ref name="Деца и юноши под 18 години" />
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Drinking age Croatia" />		18<ref name="Drinking age Croatia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under 18 years of age. There is no minimum age to buy or consume alcohol by law.<ref name="Drinking age Croatia" />
Template:Flag		None		18<ref name=":6" />		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="dansk">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="dansk" />	16 (beverages of <16.5% ABV) 18 (beverages of ≥16.5% ABV)<ref name="dansk" />	While there is no age requirement for drinking alcohol beverages in Denmark, there are laws that prohibit minors from buying alcohol from on-premise and off-premise outlets. If a shop or bar fails to ask for an ID card and is identified as having sold alcohol to an underage person, it is subject to a fine. A national ID card, obtained in the local town hall, can serve as age verification.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> This card is rarely used though since a passport or driver's license is more commonly used.<ref>Få unge har købt legitimationskort Template:Webarchive, Danmarks Radio, 01. July 2006</ref> Both the legal drinking and purchasing age in the Faroe Islands is 18.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="estonia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="estonia" />		It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. Alcohol found in possession of any child can be confiscated by the police.
Template:Flag		18 (1.2–22% ABV) 20 (>22% ABV)<ref name="alkoholilaki">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="alkoholilaki" />	18 (1.2–22% ABV) 20 (>22% ABV)<ref name="alkoholilaki" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Stores may refuse to sell alcohol if the customer is accompanied by a minor, or if proxy purchasing is suspected. Purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor is a criminal offence.<ref name="alkoholilaki" /> Police may search minors in public places and confiscate or destroy any alcohol beverages in their possession. Incidents are reported to the legal guardian and child protective services, who may intervene with child welfare procedures. In addition, those aged 15 or above are subject to a fine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="alkoholilaki" />
Template:Flag		None, minors are under parental authority up to 18 years old, and the parent must even remain present if they offer alcohol to their child under the age of 16. In addition, making a minor drink until intoxication is an offense.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="SantePublique2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	France has no explicitly stated consumption age, but selling alcohol beverages to a minor (under 18) is prohibited and can be fined 7500 euros.<ref name="SantePublique2" />
Template:Flag		None	14 (beer, wine and cider if accompanied) 16 (beer, wine and cider) 18 (spirits and foods containing spirits above negligible amounts)<ref name="Germany">Template:Cite book</ref>			It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply fermented alcohol beverages (beer, wine, cider and sparkling wine) to anyone under 16 years of age. However this age limit drops down to 14 if a minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. It is generally prohibited to serve, sell or supply any beverage containing spirits and foods containing spirits above negligible amounts, to anyone under the age of 18 years. Violation of the "Protection of Young Persons Act" can be punished with imprisonment up to 10 years. Template:See alsoTemplate:See also
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Gibraltar" />		16 (beer, wine and cider) 18 (spirits)<ref name="Gibraltar" />	18<ref name="Gibraltar" />	It is prohibited to sell alcohol drinks to anyone under the age of 18, other than the following two exceptions. The minimum age to be served in licensed premises is 16 if:<ref name="Gibraltar">Children and Young Persons (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Gaming) Act 2006 Template:Webarchive (Gibraltar Laws).</ref> The alcohol beverage is beer, wine or cider below 15% ABV, or The alcohol beverage is served in a bottle, or a pre-packaged container below 5.5% ABV.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="ΦΕΚ A 262/2008" />	18<ref name="ΦΕΚ A 262/2008" />	18<ref name="ΦΕΚ A 262/2008">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	In 2008, the consumption of alcohol beverages was prohibited for minors in public. However, the law does not apply to private events or private premises.<ref name="ΦΕΚ A 262/2008" /> However, the law is rarely enforced with authorities reporting high numbers of teen alcohol consumption yearly.<ref>Greece movendi.ngo</ref> ID checks are rare.
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name="IARD" />	18<ref name="IARD" />
Template:Flag		None		20<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Possession or consumption of alcohol by people under the age of 20 is not an offence, but police will contact parents of those under 18 and send a report to the child protection agency, supplying them with alcohol is an offence. Drinking in public is prohibited, though this is rarely enforced in public places.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Ireland">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="Ireland" />	18<ref name="Ireland" />		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Trova Norme & Concorsi – Normativa Sanitaria" />		18<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Trova Norme & Concorsi – Normativa Sanitaria" />		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Selling alcohol to those under the age of 18 in shops carries a fine between €250 and €1000. Serving alcohol 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 that is fined between €250 and €1000 (Legge n. 189/2013).
Template:Flag		None		18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Alkoholisko dzērienu aprites likums" />		18<ref name="Alkoholisko dzērienu aprites likums">Template:Cite news</ref>		It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol beverages to any minor under the age of 18 years. Persons between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to present an identity document to the retailer when purchasing alcoholic beverages, regardless of whether the retailer has requested it. There is no minimum age to consume or possess alcohol.<ref name="Alkoholisko dzērienu aprites likums" />
Template:Flag		18 (spirits and spirit-based beverages) 16 (other alcohol beverages)<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation				CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Spirits and alcopops may be sold only to people at least 18, and other alcohol beverages to people at least 16. Consumption and possession is prohibited at the same ages.
Template:Flag		20<ref name="Seimas adopted amendments on reduction of alcohol consumption">Template:Cite news</ref>		20<ref name="Seimas adopted amendments on reduction of alcohol consumption" />		It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 20 years. People under the age of 20 are prohibited from consuming alcohol beverages or from possessing them. The minimum age was raised from 18 to 20 in 2018.<ref name="Seimas adopted amendments on reduction of alcohol consumption" />
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Loi du 22 décembre 2006 portant interdiction de la vente de boissons alcooliques à des mineurs de moins de seize ans." />		16<ref name="Loi du 22 décembre 2006 portant interdiction de la vente de boissons alcooliques à des mineurs de moins de seize ans.">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol beverages of >1.2% ABV to any person under the age of 16 years. Violation is fined €251 to €1,000.<ref name="Loi du 22 décembre 2006 portant interdiction de la vente de boissons alcooliques à des mineurs de moins de seize ans." />
Template:Flag		None<ref name="malta" />	17<ref name="malta" />	17<ref name="malta">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Must provide identification upon request.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="LEGE Nr. 1100">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="LEGE Nr. 1100" />		It is prohibited to sell, or serve alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is not prohibited for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol.<ref name="LEGE Nr. 1100" />
Template:Flag		None		18<ref name="IARD" />
Template:Flag		None	18<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name=":4" />		The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcohol beverages was raised from 16 to 18 in 2014. Selling alcoholic beverages to people under 18 is prohibited, while buying alcoholic beverages for someone else under the age of 18 is also prohibited.<ref name=":4" />
Template:Flag		None<ref name="northernmacedonia" />		18<ref name="northernmacedonia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18 (<22% ABV) 20 (≥22% ABV)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Alcohol possessed by minors may be confiscated as evidence. Drinking in public is prohibited, though this is rarely enforced in recreational areas.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="tekst jednolity: Dz. U. 2002 r. Nr 147 poz. 1231" />	None (within designated drinking zones) Prohibited (elsewhere)	18<ref name="tekst jednolity: Dz. U. 2002 r. Nr 147 poz. 1231">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> prohibits sale or serving of alcohol beverages to anyone under 18 and that if doubt exists as to age, sellers/servers should require ID as proof of age. Drinking in public places, with the exception of designated drinking zones, is prohibited regardless of age.
Template:Flag		None<ref name="1 de Julho: nova legislação sobre o álcool e a vacina Prevenar em vigor" />		18<ref name="1 de Julho: nova legislação sobre o álcool e a vacina Prevenar em vigor">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None<ref name="romania" />		18<ref name="romania">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Whoever offers or supplies alcohol beverages to a child under the age of 14 years in an amount which is resulting death to one is punished with imprisonment for 3 to 12 years.
Template:Flag		None		18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The legal purchase age limits are 18.
Template:Flag		None		16<ref name="IARD" />		Criminal Code Article 165
Template:Flag		None		18		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, the law is loosely enforced.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Template:Flag		None		18
Template:Flag		None<ref name="slovenia" />		18<ref name="slovenia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None		18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Autonomous region Balearic Islands does not have legislation on legal purchase age limits.Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag		None		18<ref name="swe2010" /><ref name="sweden">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	None under 2.25% ABV 20<ref name="swe2010" /> 18 (beer, above 2.25% ABV and below or equal to 3.5% ABV)	Template:See also It is legal for anyone at any age to drink,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> but off-premise sale or supply to anyone under the age of 20 is prohibited and on-premise establishments are prohibited from serving alcohol beverages to anyone under 18. It is legal to serve an underage person alcohol in a private place, provided it's a limited amount and done in moderation.<ref name="swe2010">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> The reason for the lower limit in bars than in Systembolaget shops is that bartenders have a legal responsibility for how drunk a guest gets.<ref name="sweden" /> Class II beer (up to 3.5% ABV), called folköl ("people's beer"), is sold in regular stores, but with the minimum purchase age of 18.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Class I beer (2.25% ABV and under) has no age restriction.
Template:Flag	Template:Flag (federal law)	None		16 (fermented beverages with up to 15% ABV and natural wines with up to 18% ABV)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref> 18 (spirits)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Whoever sells or supplies spirits to a person under the age of 18 years is punished with a fine up to 10,000 CHF.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flag			18		Canton Ticino prohibits the selling of any type of alcohol beverage to minors under the age of 18.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		None		18<ref name="IARD" />		Law No. 1824-VI on state regulation of production and turnover of ethyl, cognac and fruit, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products Article 15-3
Template:Flag	Template:Flag Template:Flag	5<ref name="cypa">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref> On licensed premises: 18<ref name="s146LA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> or 16 (for beer, wine or cider with a table meal and if accompanied by adult)<ref name="s150LA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="uk">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to give a child under the age of 5 alcohol, unless for medical reasons.<ref name="cypa"/> It is prohibited to sell alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18,<ref name="s146LA" /> but 16-17 year olds may consume beer, wine, or cider on licensed premises when at a table meal with an adult who is accompanying them.<ref name="s150LA"/> It is not illegal for under 18s to possess or consume alcohol, but the police can confiscate alcohol from under 18s in public.<ref name="CAYPA97">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Import: People over 17 are entitled to a duty-free allowance for alcohol beverages.<ref name="UK Duty Free">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flag	None	18<ref name="S102LSA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="S104ALSA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 16 (beer, wine, cider or perry with a meal if purchased by an adult aged 18 or older)<ref name="s104BLSA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="scotland">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 18,<ref name="S104ALSA" /> and liqueur confectionery to persons under the age of 16.<ref name="s104">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> The police can confiscate alcohol from those below the drinking age in public.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Those aged 16–17 may consume beer, wine, cider, or perry on licensed premises with a meal.<ref name="s104BLSA" /> Import: People over 17 are entitled to a duty-free allowance for alcoholic beverages.<ref name="UK Duty Free" />
	Template:Flag	14<ref name="CYPANI">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}, with s180</ref>	18<ref name="A60LNIO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18<ref name="A60LNIO" />		It is illegal for persons under 14 to be given alcohol, and then only for medical purposes.<ref name="CYPANI" /> It is prohibited to sell, serve, or offer alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18. Minors are prohibited to consume alcohol beverages in public<ref name="A60LNIO" /> and the police can confiscate alcohol from under 18s in public.<ref name="CAYPA97" />
	Template:Flag					Under the BBPA's Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 schemes, customers attempting to buy alcohol beverages are asked to prove their age if in the retailer's opinion they look under 21<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> (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 people who look under 21 (or 25) without ID.

Oceania

Country	State/ region/ province	De jure		Notes
		Drinking age	Purchase age
Template:Flag		18<ref name="IARD" />		labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}All states restrict purchasing to over 18, but exceptions may apply if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The government-supported Youth Law Australia portal offers details on consumption and supply age limits by state.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="Fiji">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The drinking age was previously 21 but was lowered to 18 in 2009.<ref name="Fiji"/>
Template:Flag		21<ref name="auto1"/>		Liquor Ordinance 1973 Art 11 Liquor (Amendment) Act 12-2005 Art 27
Template:Flag		21<ref name="auto1"/>		Alcoholic Beverage Control Act 1971 Art 111(i) Alcohol Restriction Act of 1994 Art 202(1)
Template:Flag	Template:Flag Template:Flag	18<ref>Draft Chuuk State Code (2012) Section 1307(1) – unenacted draft code citing source laws</ref><ref>Kosrae State Code (1997), Sections S.1.201(44) and 13.517(3)</ref>
	Template:Flag Template:Flag	21<ref>Code of the State of Pohnpei (2012), Section 2-109</ref><ref>Yap State Code (1987), Section 405</ref>
Template:Flag		21<ref name="auto1"/>		Liquor Ordinance 1967 Art 33
Template:Flag		None	18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Persons under 18 may drink outside private residences or private functions if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Alcohol may be supplied to minors only by, or with express consent from, their parent or legal guardian.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		21<ref name="Palau Alcoholic Beverage Control Act">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited to sell or serve any alcohol beverage to a person under 21 years of age. Minors may access a bar or licensed premises only if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Minors buying, consuming or attempting to buy alcohol are committing an offence. The law provides an exception for the consumption of alcohol by minors as part of a religiously recognized ceremony.<ref name="Palau Alcoholic Beverage Control Act"/>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="postcourier.com.pg">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is prohibited for a minor to purchase, consume or attempt to purchase alcohol beverages. Any licence holder has to ensure that the customer who he sells or serves alcohol to, is at least 18 years of age. Violation of this law is punishable by a fine.<ref name="postcourier.com.pg"/> Liquor Licensing Act (1963) Art 102–103
Template:Flag		21<ref name="Samoa Liquor Licensing Act">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Selling or serving alcohol to a person under the age of 21 years is punishable with a three hundred dollar fine, imprisonment for nine months, or both.<ref name="Solomon Islands Liquor Licensing Act"/> "does not apply to a licensee of a food and beverage license provided that the person under the age of 21 years is under the supervision of an attending parent."
Template:Flag		None<ref name="Solomon Islands Liquor Licensing Act"/>	21<ref name="Solomon Islands Liquor Licensing Act">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Selling or serving alcohol to a person under the age of 21 years is punishable with a three hundred dollar fine, imprisonment for nine months, or both.<ref name="Solomon Islands Liquor Licensing Act"/>
Template:Flag		18<ref>Crimes, Procedure and Evidence Rules 2003, s50(3).</ref>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="Tonga Liquor Licensing Act">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Selling, serving or supplying alcohol to anyone under 18 years is prohibited. It is also prohibited for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol in any public place and any violation of this law is punishable by a $1,000 fine.<ref name="Tonga Liquor Licensing Act"/>
Template:USA	Template:Flag	21<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flag	21<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	As of July 2010, the drinking age in the territory of Guam has been raised to 21.
	Template:Flag	21<ref name="Northern Mariana Islands Public Law 19-84">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag		18<ref name="Vanuatu Liquor Licensing Act">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	It is unlawful to sell, serve or supply alcohol to any person under the age of 18 years. Violation of the law is fined up to VT 25,000 or by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 months, or by both, fine and imprisonment. Any minor under the age of 18 years, being found in possession or consumption of alcohol is fined up to VT 10,000.<ref name="Vanuatu Liquor Licensing Act"/>

See also

• Age of candidacy
• Alcohol consumption by youth in the United States
• Alcoholism
• Amethyst Initiative
• Choose Responsibility
• Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
• Gambling age
• Legal drinking age controversy (USA)
• Legal smoking age
• Mature minor doctrine
• National Minimum Drinking Age Act
• National Youth Rights Association
• Shoulder tap (alcohol)
• Voting age
• Youth rights
• Youth suffrage
• Youth

External links

• Minimum legal age limits online table updated on a rolling basis, International Alliance for Responsible Drinking