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Many nations have a legal drinking age, or the minimum age one must be to drink alcohol. In most countries this is 16 or 18; in the US it is 21. Some countries distinguish between drinks with fairly low alcohol-content (such as beer and wine) and stronger spirit-based drinks.
Some people argue that the relatively high US drinking age lowers the risk of accidents and alcohol addiction in younger people. Others argue that if one is old enough to vote and be drafted, one is old enough to drink, and that being introduced to alcohol at a younger age in a family environment means people are more likely to learn responsible drinking habits.
Laws surrounding alcohol vary, but generally, minors are not allowed inside of drinking establishments, are not allowed to purchase alcohol, and are not allowed to drink. In the United Kingdom, children may enter pubs in the company of an adult until 9 PM and 14-year-olds may enter pubs unaccompanied if they order a meal. Some jurisdictions allow minors to drink in the privacy of their own home, with their parents' permission, and others do not.
Proof of age is usually required to enter bars and clubs, or to buy alcoholic beverages in shops. In the United States, this is usually done by showing a driver's license. In New Zealand, multiple forms of identification can be used, including 18 Plus Cards; in the UK, driver's licences, passports, or special "proof of age" cards must be used. In some countries, such as Japan, asking for ID is relatively rare: it is generally assumed that anyone who doesn't look underage, isn't.
Legal drinking age by country
A - D
E - H
I - N
O - V
See also Legal issues of tobacco smoking
External links world drinking ages (http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol-info/LegalDrinkingAge.html#worlddrinkingages) | This article needs to be expanded.
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