NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/LegalDrinkingAge.html


The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their minimum purchase and public possession of alcohol age to 21. States that did not comply faced a reduction in highway funds under the Federal Highway Aid Act.... It does not prohibit persons under 21 (also called youth or minors) from drinking. The term "public possession" is strictly defined and does not apply to possession for the following:

An established religious purpose, when accompanied by a parent, spouse or legal guardian age 21 or older
Medical purposes when prescribed or administered by a licensed physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, hospital or medical institution
In private clubs or establishments
In the course of lawful employment by a duly licensed manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer.” 1
Many of the states that have chosen to specifically prohibit alcohol consumption by those under age 21 have a variety of exceptions. For example,

Some States allow an exception for consumption when a family member consents and/or is present. States vary widely in terms of which relatives may consent or must be present for this exception to apply and in what circumstances the exception applies. Sometimes a reference is made simply to "family" or "family member" without further elaboration.

....

Some States allow an exception for consumption on private property. States vary in the extent of the private property exception which may extend to all private locations, private residences only, or in the home of a parent or guardian only. In some jurisdictions, the location exception is conditional on the presence and/or consent of the parent, legal guardian, or legal-age spouse.

Some States also allow exceptions for educational purposes (e.g., students in culinary schools), religious purposes (e.g., sacramental use of alcoholic beverages), or medical purposes



http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/images/usmap_minimum_age.gif


I wish I would have known that 2 years ago!

I always tought that was a silly law.You should be allowed to drink beer and wine at 16 and stronger at eighteen.A refined version of sat the french model.

I always tought that was a silly law.You should be allowed to drink beer and wine at 16 and stronger at eighteen.A refined version of sat the french model.


16 is too young in my book, maybe take after Japan and make it 20 or maybe 19.

The idea behind introducing younger people to alcohol is to educate them to sensible drinking.Most kids in France are for example, given wine with their meals from 11- 12 yrs old.(In the US that would be child abuse).As a result they don't have as many of the drink related social problems that exist in say, Ireland or England where binge drinking to the point of near leathal levels is considered common place among teenagers and young adults.This does not mean that drinking problems don't exist in France or for that matter, Germany which has similar practices.A lower leagal drinking age just instills a sense of being in control of your actions when drinking rather than blaming drink for your actions after the fact.

16 is too young in my book, maybe take after Japan and make it 20 or maybe 19.

What's wrong with 18?

Meh, I've been drinking socially since I was 13, and it didn't make the slightest difference to the way people behaved whether it was in Germany (where 16 is the legal limit) and Australia (where it is 18).

Teens drink. Deal with it.

What's wrong with 18?



America is a bit different than your nation, lower the age to 18 or 16 and you will have mass public drunkeness nationwide and in schools. Americans can't handle some things other people can.

How can someone that can hurl 2 tons of iron at 90 ft/s is so irresponisible that they can't be trusted to drink beer?

America is a bit different than your nation, lower the age to 18 or 16 and you will have mass public drunkeness nationwide and in schools. Americans can't handle some things other people can.

Yeah, true. You yanks are pussies.

(Kidding :p :))

Meh, I've been drinking socially since I was 13, and it didn't make the slightest difference to the way people behaved whether it was in Germany (where 16 is the legal limit) and Australia (where it is 18).

Teens drink. Deal with it.



You do know that you are just preaching to the choir right? The deal with it remark never has and never will convince dissenters to change their minds on anything. Just because it happens doesn't make it right, that is all you will get for your efforts.


Have you ever met a alcoholic? I have, not pretty.

Nothing wrong with 18.I think maybe 16 for beer and 18 for sprits.

This is an interesting thing because in New Zealand, the drinking age was lowered to 18 several years ago; mostly, I think, because people thought "Eighteen-year-olds can get alcohol with fake IDs anyway, so why not legalise it?".

Similar thought led to the decriminalisation of prostitution.

What's happened now, of course, is that the age people are really drinking at is around sixteen. This would not be a problem in, say, France, where the drinking culture is old and respectable.

In New Zealand, however, it's a product of brash young colonial society, and the drinking culture is a binge drinking culture. People drink to get drunk! This is not so much alcohol use as alcohol abuse, with all the medical and social side effects that that entails.

There are now plans afoot to raise the drinking age, probably up to twenty. Personally, I think the genie is out of the bottle, but only time will tell.

Have you ever met a alcoholic? I have, not pretty.
Certainly have.
At times, I lived a life close to it, drinking every night, or every second night, for weeks. I've also met people who smoked so much that their skin turned yellow and they died (my aunt), and people who were a wreck at school because they had taken the wrong pill the night before.

The point is that for someone to be an alcoholic there has to be a problem in that someone's life. It's not a matter of alcohol causing alcoholism, it's a matter of people dealing with their problems in the wrong way.

In New Zealand, however, it's a product of brash young colonial society, and the drinking culture is a binge drinking culture. People drink to get drunk!
When teens get together, it's the same in Britain, Germany and I assure you, France.
Then the teens grow up and at some point get over it.

Certainly have.
At times, I lived a life close to it, drinking every night, or every second night, for weeks. I've also met people who smoked so much that their skin turned yellow and they died (my aunt), and people who were a wreck at school because they had taken the wrong pill the night before.

The point is that for someone to be an alcoholic there has to be a problem in that someone's life. It's not a matter of alcohol causing alcoholism, it's a matter of people dealing with their problems in the wrong way.
True.Although there is always that point where sombody slips from abusing alcohol to being dependant.

There is no link between alcoholism and the age sombody starts drinking or indeed how much they drink.


Well, since alcoholism is drinking too much says that is a link right there. LOL!


I am an alcoholic, I have been drinking since 15 I think and most likely wouldn't be one today if I hadnt started. I really wish I hadnt, but its such a huge problem I may die of it one day. I am just more mature now and can handle things better than I used to, it comes down to maturity.

It has just dawned on me that I may not have a right to post here about drinking.Its friday ......*dreaming of many cold Gunniess floating towards me*

This is an interesting thing because in New Zealand, the drinking age was lowered to 18 several years ago; mostly, I think, because people thought "Eighteen-year-olds can get alcohol with fake IDs anyway, so why not legalise it?".

Similar thought led to the decriminalisation of prostitution.

What's happened now, of course, is that the age people are really drinking at is around sixteen. This would not be a problem in, say, France, where the drinking culture is old and respectable.

In New Zealand, however, it's a product of brash young colonial society, and the drinking culture is a binge drinking culture. People drink to get drunk! This is not so much alcohol use as alcohol abuse, with all the medical and social side effects that that entails.

There are now plans afoot to raise the drinking age, probably up to twenty. Personally, I think the genie is out of the bottle, but only time will tell.



What caused that binge drinking culture anyway? Raisng the drinking age won't solve that problem, some things are not that easy.

It has just dawned on me that I may not have a right to post here about drinking.Its friday ......*dreaming of many cold Gunniess floating towards me*



Boo You suck! J/K :p

Well, since alcoholism is drinking too much says that is a link right there. LOL!


I am an alcoholic, I have been drinking since 15 I think and most likely wouldn't be one today if I hadnt started. I really wish I hadnt, but its such a huge problem I may die of it one day. I am just more mature now and can handle things better than I used to, it comes down to maturity.
Sorry about that!Thought I deleted it before I had posted.That was a silly thing to post...

This is an interesting thing because in New Zealand, the drinking age was lowered to 18 several years ago; mostly, I think, because people thought "Eighteen-year-olds can get alcohol with fake IDs anyway, so why not legalise it?".

Similar thought led to the decriminalisation of prostitution.

What's happened now, of course, is that the age people are really drinking at is around sixteen. This would not be a problem in, say, France, where the drinking culture is old and respectable.

In New Zealand, however, it's a product of brash young colonial society, and the drinking culture is a binge drinking culture. People drink to get drunk! This is not so much alcohol use as alcohol abuse, with all the medical and social side effects that that entails.

There are now plans afoot to raise the drinking age, probably up to twenty. Personally, I think the genie is out of the bottle, but only time will tell.

Happens anywhere. I started drinking at about 15. We all get wiser and move on from that "drinking to get drunk and waking up in a pile of vomit" stage for the most part. Those who don't have dependent personalities and will probably end up that way regardless of when they start drinking - or they might use drugs instead.

I remember a period in my late high-school life where it was a lot easier to get stoned than it was to get drunk - so we did. Legality doesn't really change anything.

Sorry about that!Thought I deleted it before I had posted.That was a silly thing to post...




No biggie. :)

Indeed it won't, Kishijoten - it's still going on among all age groups - but it would, presumably, alleviate some of the problems caused by early onset.

Personally I believe the problem is due in part to New Zealand's colonial history; the country was settled by people who were largely lower class, people who had to work extremely hard to live, and who enjoyed a beer, or three, or four, after work. And doubtless coming to rural New Zealand from Victorian London was rather a culture shock; pink elephants might be preferable to Hickston, Otago.

Then there's the fact that people's paychecks used to arrive on a Friday, so they'd think hey, here's some money, I haven't had any all week and it's been a long week, so let's go celebrate! Then they spent all their money drinking, and come Monday when the hangover had worn off, they found they didn't have any money again. Rinse, repeat.

Now, of course, paychecks come in on different days, but the tradition of going out on a Saturday night remains well in place.

(That, of course, is my theory, and has little in the way of hard research data to back it up; still, I'm sure someone's studied it for a Sociology thesis)

Americans can drink? O.o

In my experience they're hammered after a few pints - lightweights!
Then again, i'm sure the British are lightweights compared to the Russians and other countries. It seems the more north a country is the better the alchohol tolerance of the people - probably because of the long, cold nights making alchohol more attractive.

Anyway, I really can't decide whether we should lower or raise the drinking age here. I've always being brought up allowed to drink moderately - offered wine at meals when I was 12 and so on, and I think that has made me able to appreciate alchohol in moderation. I understand this is what it is like in much of Europe and that's why there's not as much binge drinking there. From that point of view, it would be better to lower the drinking age to 16.

On the other hand, people wouldn't change how they brought up their kids because of the law, and it might well just mean people start binging early. I've seen what kids do when they've being brought up with excessive restriction on what they can do - when they finally get their freedom, they go to excess.

At university i'm one of the only people who really doesn't like going out and getting absolutely bladdered - I really don't see the point when it's expensive and inevitably leads to feeling really ill and a hangover. I'll have a few drinks so that it is pleasureable, but I won't go out and drink 25 shots of vodka and red bull along with other drinks like one of my friends does.

Americans can drink? O.o

In my experience they're hammered after a few pints - lightweights!

LMAO...come to Wisconsin...I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. :)

They omit Wisconsin from a lot of national studies related to alcohol consumption...because we throw off the curve. :D

I say lower it back to 18 in the states. If you are old enough to serve in the armed forces of your country, you are old enough to sit down at a bar and have a damned beer. Period.

Americans can drink? O.o

In my experience they're hammered after a few pints - lightweights!
Then again, i'm sure the British are lightweights compared to the Russians and other countries. It seems the more north a country is the better the alchohol tolerance of the people - probably because of the long, cold nights making alchohol more attractive.

Anyway, I really can't decide whether we should lower or raise the drinking age here. I've always being brought up allowed to drink moderately - offered wine at meals when I was 12 and so on, and I think that has made me able to appreciate alchohol in moderation. I understand this is what it is like in much of Europe and that's why there's not as much binge drinking there. From that point of view, it would be better to lower the drinking age to 16.

On the other hand, people wouldn't change how they brought up their kids because of the law, and it might well just mean people start binging early. I've seen what kids do when they've being brought up with excessive restriction on what they can do - when they finally get their freedom, they go to excess.

.
It would probably take a generation or so to see a change in peoples drinking habits.They tried to liberalise the drinking laws here in Ireland last year(as if we irish need an excuse to go drinking) to introduce cafe style bars and extend the hours but it was shot down by the publicans as they would loose money.The idea was for public order, which is a major concern when everybody is coming out of the pubs at the same time.My point being that on this side of the world, drinking not only effects the lives of the person drinking but on the pouplation as a whole.In Ireland for example nearly 40% of A&E admissions on weekends are drink related.There needs to be an attitude change big time.

It would probably take a generation or so to see a change in peoples drinking habits.They tried to liberalise the drinking laws here in Ireland last year(as if we irish need an excuse to go drinking) to introduce cafe style bars and extend the hours but it was shot down by the publicans as they would loose money.The idea was for public order, which is a major concern when everybody is coming out of the pubs at the same time.My point being that on this side of the world, drinking not only effects the lives of the person drinking but on the pouplation as a whole.In Ireland for example nearly 40% of A&E admissions on weekends are drink related.There needs to be an attitude change big time.

There's being the same kind of debate here about late licenses, and the same problem of drunk people ending up in casualty wards. It's really annoying how it drains money from the NHS.

In fact, there's this song by The Streets called "The Irony of it all" about how weed is a lot less damaging to society than alchohol, presented in the form of a dialouge between a mellow student weed smoker and a yobbish, agressive binge drinker. One part of the song goes:

"You stinking student drug addict!
Go out and get a job, and stop robbing us of our taxes!"

"Err, well actually according to research
Government funding for further education pales in insignificance
When compared to how much they spend on repairing
Leery drunk people at the weekend
In casualty wards all over the land."

"Why you cheeky little swine come here
I’m gonna batter you. come here."

I'am Irish and i've been drinking sence i was 17. I'am not an alcoholic and either are any of my friend who drank sence there were ever younger.

The problem with the 21 age limit is, teens can't get it out of the system, by that i mean, going mad drinking and cluding for a year and then drink is'ent a big deal anymore.

That how most people deal we it hear and only because of the younger age limit.

There's being the same kind of debate here about late licenses, and the same problem of drunk people ending up in casualty wards. It's really annoying how it drains money from the NHS.

In fact, there's this song by The Streets called "The Irony of it all" about how weed is a lot less damaging to society than alchohol, presented in the form of a dialouge between a mellow student weed smoker and a yobbish, agressive binge drinker. One part of the song goes:

"You stinking student drug addict!
Go out and get a job, and stop robbing us of our taxes!"

"Err, well actually according to research
Government funding for further education pales in insignificance
When compared to how much they spend on repairing
Leery drunk people at the weekend
In casualty wards all over the land."

"Why you cheeky little swine come here
I’m gonna batter you. come here."
Ive heard that one.Its funny because its true.I''ve even heard a guy in my local bar brag that he's been on disability for five years because of alcoholism.Gets all that's going from the taxpayers.He comes out with about €400 odd a week.Not bad 'work' if you can get it.

I'am Irish and i've been drinking sence i was 17. I'am not an alcoholic and either are any of my friend who drank sence there were ever younger.

The problem with the 21 age limit is, teens can't get it out of the system, by that i mean, going mad drinking and cluding for a year and then drink is'ent a big deal anymore.

That how most people deal we it hear and only because of the younger age limit.
The problem is that there are bars every where in this country litered with 40+ year olds who did not get it out of their system.Even worse are the parents who bring their kids into bars during the day.I'm not talking about those who do it once or twice a year but those who raise their kids in the bar.I for one hate kids in bars.(Keep falling over the little bastards on the way to the jacks;) )

when will people accept that tossers act like tossers when they drink and people with addictive personalities get addicted when they drink!......whatever age they are. I could first pass in pubs for 18 when I was 15........I drank every penny I had because I enjoyed it. I got drunk, played pool, played darts, walked off to the park with the rest of my year (who all came to the same pub) and then got a ride home with a parent. During this time I somehow managed to avoid breaking anything, terrorizing old people, mugging people, raping people, hitting people, or plotting the demise of traditional society.
Drink doesn't screw with people, people screw with people!:headbang:

I also used to smoke, decided to give it up and did.........that day.........When I have exams and have to revise for a long time I give up drink....i.e. 2 months earlier in the year. If you get addicted to things easily, don't mess it up for the rest of us! If you can't control yourself when you drink.....don't mess it up for the rest of us!............If you make a personal choice not to drink then fine.........BUT DON'T MESS IT UP FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

when will people accept that tossers act like tossers when they drink and people with addictive personalities get addicted when they drink!......whatever age they are. I could first pass in pubs for 18 when I was 15........I drank every penny I had because I enjoyed it. I got drunk, played pool, played darts, walked off to the park with the rest of my year (who all came to the same pub) and then got a ride home with a parent. During this time I somehow managed to avoid breaking anything, terrorizing old people, mugging people, raping people, hitting people, or plotting the demise of traditional society.
Drink doesn't screw with people, people screw with people!:headbang:
Its a bit like the argument that guns don't kill people ... Drink does not create tossers but it helps tossers become bigger tossers.

Nothing wrong with 18.I think maybe 16 for beer and 18 for sprits.

Not that I much care, because I don't drink, but making the minimum age for drinking the same age as getting a driver's license is just stupid. Let people learn how to do one first, then the other.

Not that I much care, because I don't drink, but making the minimum age for drinking the same age as getting a driver's license is just stupid. Let people learn how to do one first, then the other.
Good point.I'm the polar opposite I like a drink socially but don't drive.Might have somthing to do with being hit by some drunk nutter driving a pick up truck when I was a kid.Leson learned.

Not that I much care, because I don't drink, but making the minimum age for drinking the same age as getting a driver's license is just stupid. Let people learn how to do one first, then the other.

Er...why? Not everyone gets their licence as soon as they can. I'm 19 and don't have mine.

Meh, I've been drinking socially since I was 13, and it didn't make the slightest difference to the way people behaved whether it was in Germany (where 16 is the legal limit) and Australia (where it is 18).

Teens drink. Deal with it.
There's a huge difference between Finnish teens and German teens. HUGE. Teens drink but fortunately almost noone drinks like a Finnish teen (except British teens...)

edit: I spent a month in Germany (Kiel) when I was 15. I know it's only a month but still. I didn't see any other teenagers in parks, downtown, discos, bars, anywhere after 10 pm. Some poor lads bought several beers for us (to get us drunk) but they couldn't handle the same amount of alcohol. That was rather funny. They drove 80km with mopeds to see us (with some expectations I assumed) and ended up totally pissed and penniless. :D

Not that I much care, because I don't drink, but making the minimum age for drinking the same age as getting a driver's license is just stupid. Let people learn how to do one first, then the other.

Wouldn't it make more sense for them to learn how to hold their liquor before they start to operate 2 ton pieces of machinery at speeds of 90 ft/second?

Wouldn't it make more sense for them to learn how to hold their liquor before they start to operate 2 ton pieces of machinery at speeds of 90 ft/second?

Probably, I'm just saying don't have both occur at the same time.

I remember a period in my late high-school life where it was a lot easier to get stoned than it was to get drunk - so we did. Legality doesn't really change anything.

Thats true, it was like that in highschool. It was easier because any dealer would sell to you, while alcohol venders wouldn't. Not that it mattered really, because from when I was 14 onwards there was always someone with a parent or sibling willing to buy booze for us.

Failing that there was always the 'rocket fuel' option :o

Probably, I'm just saying don't have both occur at the same time.
Like in Finland. I don't think it's a problem. Those who are stupid enough to drink and drive don't care about legal age limits, driving licenses etc. But that's in Finland. I have a feeling that drink driving is far more common in USA than around here. And it's bad enough here. Or maybe we have more drivers who have very much alcohol in their blood and fewer "almost sober" (or so they say) drink drivers around here.

Wouldn't it make more sense for them to learn how to hold their liquor before they start to operate 2 ton pieces of machinery at speeds of 90 ft/second?
No kidding. A 16 year old has a far greater chance of killing another human with a car than he does of killing another human with a beer bottle. If we consider children to be mature enough to opperate potentially deadly piece of heavy machinery, it is ludicrous to then tell them that they aren't responsible enough to imbibe alcohol.

Of course, I believe it is pathetic to have ANY "drinking age" at all. Individuals should be free to put whatever food, drug, or beverage they like into their own body. If, while under the influence of some substance, they engage in dangerous (read: criminal) behavior, then they should be held accountable for THAT behavior.

The only thing I don't like about the drinking age is that, in America, at age 18 you are able to have your say in who leads the nation, you can smoke cigarettes and cigars, you can be issued an automatic weapon by the government and get shipped off to war for them, but god forbid you have a beer.

In britain your allowed alcohol fromthe age of 6months in the home (this relates to the practice of dipping a dummy (pacifier) or some such into whisky to sooth babies.

your allowed alcohol publicly from 12 with meals

you can by alcohol at 18

this is the age (roughly) you can get married with out parental consent, drive, vote and see/buy/be in porn

makes sense to me

The only thing I don't like about the drinking age is that, in America, at age 18 you are able to have your say in who leads the nation, you can smoke cigarettes and cigars, you can be issued an automatic weapon by the government and get shipped off to war for them, but god forbid you have a beer.
Yeah personally I feel like when you turn the “age of majority” you have all the rights/privileges/responsibilities associated with adulthood.

The only thing I don't like about the drinking age is that, in America, at age 18 you are able to have your say in who leads the nation, you can smoke cigarettes and cigars, you can be issued an automatic weapon by the government and get shipped off to war for them, but god forbid you have a beer.
I love the fact that in many American states you can GET MARRIED at the age of 14, but you can't drink until 21. There's the "sanctity" of marriage for you...a kid can promise to spend the rest of their life with somebody 7 years before they are old enough to drink the champagne at their own wedding.

Yeah personally I feel like when you turn the “age of majority” you have all the rights/privileges/responsibilities associated with adulthood.

Personally, I think having a set "age of majority" is obscene. As if everyone develops at the same rate and once they cross that magical line they're fully functional adults.

LMAO...come to Wisconsin...I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. :)

They omit Wisconsin from a lot of national studies related to alcohol consumption...because we throw off the curve. :D

As my colleague from accross the lake said, come on up to the frozen north, we'll take care of ya :D

And you are right that a lot of Americans are lightweights, but that's because all they drink is that watered down horsepiss like Budweiser or Coors. Try some of our more local beers and you'll find that they've got a bit more kick. And flavor. And just generally don't suck.

I am not only an American but I was told by my ex girlfriend's father that I was a no good yankee.

I think that the laws should allow anyone to drink. any age at any time. I have a friend who was nicknamed brandy because her dad used to put brandy on her pacifer to make her stop crying when she was teething.

However the drinking laws should specify that while it is legal to drink it is illegal to be drunk. This way we can have brandy and such for medicine. The law should also set high penalties for breaking the law and being drunk. such as if you drink and you are drunk and you kill someone then the state executes you. that simple. If you drive drunk and you injure someone then you will pay that person's medical bills as long as it takes for that person to get better. If you die but they live then they get everything you own in compensation. If you are drunk and you beat someone up then you pay the medical bills. see how simple this would be?

As my colleague from accross the lake said, come on up to the frozen north, we'll take care of ya :D

And you are right that a lot of Americans are lightweights, but that's because all they drink is that watered down horsepiss like Budweiser or Coors. Try some of our more local beers and you'll find that they've got a bit more kick. And flavor. And just generally don't suck.
We get that muck on sale here.Few drink Budweiser(piss).Good alternative ..Budvar.the original Budweiser.How Bud got the latter so wrong considering its pedigree...

Personally, I think having a set "age of majority" is obscene. As if everyone develops at the same rate and once they cross that magical line they're fully functional adults.
Hey Idealy I would like an individual evauations, but its not practical.

But at some time placing the responsibility of full adulthood without also giving the rights and benifits of such is also not fair

Hey Idealy I would like an individual evauations, but its not practical.

But at some time placing the responsibility of full adulthood without also giving the rights and benifits of such is also not fair

Oh, I know it's not practical...but I just love thinking about it. Some people would never get to be considered adults, and that's just rich.

We get that muck on sale here.Few drink Budweiser(piss).Good alternative ..Budvar.the original Budweiser.How Bud got the latter so wrong considering its pedigree...I think it might have something to do with that they use rice (I think it's some 20%) whilst brewing it.
Budweiser Ingredients (http://www.anheuser-busch.com/overview/BudIngredients.htm)

My opinion is, that alcohol shouldn't be sold for people under 20 except in restaurants or other similar facilities(where someone is monitoring the customers) where it could be sold for people aged 16 or more.

Anyone else finding the idea of sedating crying or unruly babies with alcohol slightly gross?

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/LegalDrinkingAge.html





http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/images/usmap_minimum_age.gif


I wish I would have known that 2 years ago!

thats nice and vague, look up the state code for the state you live in and then that will give you a better idea.

For Example here is Ohio's (where i used to live)

§ 4301.69. Offenses involving underage persons.






(A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person shall sell beer or intoxicating liquor to an underage person, shall buy beer or intoxicating liquor for an underage person, or shall furnish it to an underage person, unless given by a physician in the regular line of the physician's practice or given for established religious purposes or unless the underage person is accompanied by a parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian.






In proceedings before the liquor control commission, no permit holder, or the employee or agent of a permit holder, charged with a violation of this division shall be charged, for the same offense, with a violation of division (A)(1) of section 4301.22 of the Revised Code.





(B) No person who is the owner or occupant of any public or private place shall knowingly allow any underage person to remain in or on the place while possessing or consuming beer or intoxicating liquor, unless the intoxicating liquor or beer is given to the person possessing or consuming it by that person's parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian and the parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian is present at the time of the person's possession or consumption of the beer or intoxicating liquor.






An owner of a public or private place is not liable for acts or omissions in violation of this division that are committed by a lessee of that place, unless the owner authorizes or acquiesces in the lessee's acts or omissions.





(C) No person shall engage or use accommodations at a hotel, inn, cabin, campground, or restaurant when the person knows or has reason to know either of the following:





(1) That beer or intoxicating liquor will be consumed by an underage person on the premises of the accommodations that the person engages or uses, unless the person engaging or using the accommodations is the spouse of the underage person and who is not an underage person, or is the parent or legal guardian of all of the underage persons, who consume beer or intoxicating liquor on the premises and that person is on the premises at all times when beer or intoxicating liquor is being consumed by an underage person;





(2) That a drug of abuse will be consumed on the premises of the accommodations by any person, except a person who obtained the drug of abuse pursuant to a prescription issued by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs and has the drug of abuse in the original container in which it was dispensed to the person.





(D) (1) No person is required to permit the engagement of accommodations at any hotel, inn, cabin, or campground by an underage person or for an underage person, if the person engaging the accommodations knows or has reason to know that the underage person is intoxicated, or that the underage person possesses any beer or intoxicating liquor and is not accompanied by a parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian who is or will be present at all times when the beer or intoxicating liquor is being consumed by the underage person.





(2) No underage person shall knowingly engage or attempt to engage accommodations at any hotel, inn, cabin, or campground by presenting identification that falsely indicates that the underage person is twenty-one years of age or older for the purpose of violating this section.





(E) (1) No underage person shall knowingly order, pay for, share the cost of, attempt to purchase, possess, or consume any beer or intoxicating liquor in any public or private place. No underage person shall knowingly be under the influence of any beer or intoxicating liquor in any public place. The prohibitions set forth in division (E)(1) of this section against an underage person knowingly possessing, consuming, or being under the influence of any beer or intoxicating liquor shall not apply if the underage person is accompanied by a parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian, or the beer or intoxicating liquor is given by a physician in the regular line of the physician's practice or given for established religious purposes.





(2) (a) If a person is charged with violating division (E)(1) of this section in a complaint filed under section 2151.27 of the Revised Code, the court may order the child into a diversion program specified by the court and hold the complaint in abeyance pending successful completion of the diversion program. A child is ineligible to enter into a diversion program under division (E)(2)(a) of this section if the child previously has been diverted pursuant to division (E)(2)(a) of this section. If the child completes the diversion program to the satisfaction of the court, the court shall dismiss the complaint and order the child's record in the case sealed under division (D)(3) of section 2151.358 [2151.35.8] of the Revised Code. If the child fails to satisfactorily complete the diversion program, the court shall proceed with the complaint.





(b) If a person is charged in a criminal complaint with violating division (E)(1) of this section, section 2935.36 of the Revised Code shall apply to the offense, except that a person is ineligible for diversion under that section if the person previously has been diverted pursuant to division (E)(2)(a) or (b) of this section. If the person completes the diversion program to the satisfaction of the court, the court shall dismiss the complaint and order the record in the case sealed under section 2953.52 of the Revised Code. If the person fails to satisfactorily complete the diversion program, the court shall proceed with the complaint.





(F) No parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian of a minor shall knowingly permit the minor to violate this section or section 4301.63, 4301.633 [4301.63.3], or 4301.634 [4301.63.4] of the Revised Code.





(G) The operator of any hotel, inn, cabin, or campground shall make the provisions of this section available in writing to any person engaging or using accommodations at the hotel, inn, cabin, or campground.





(H) As used in this section:





(1) "Drug of abuse" has the same meaning as in section 3719.011 [3719.01.1] of the Revised Code.





(2) "Hotel" has the same meaning as in section 3731.01 of the Revised Code.





(3) "Licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs" and "prescription" have the same meanings as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.





(4) "Minor" means a person under the age of eighteen years.





(5) "Underage person" means a person under the age of twenty-one years.

And here is the Virginia State Code
(The Code i've grown to learn and love, ya right, but i still enforce it)

4.1-305. Purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages unlawful in certain cases; venue; exceptions; penalty; forfeiture; deferred proceedings; treatment and education programs.

A. No person to whom an alcoholic beverage may not lawfully be sold under § 4.1-304 shall consume, purchase or possess, or attempt to consume, purchase or possess, any alcoholic beverage, except (i) pursuant to subdivisions 1 through 7 of § 4.1-200; (ii) where possession of the alcoholic beverages by a person less than 21 years of age is due to such person's making a delivery of alcoholic beverages in pursuance of his employment or an order of his parent; or (iii) by any state, federal, or local law-enforcement officer when possession of an alcoholic beverage is necessary in the performance of his duties. Such person may be prosecuted either in the county or city in which the alcohol was possessed or consumed, or in the county or city in which the person exhibits evidence of physical indicia of consumption of alcohol.

B. No person under the age of 21 years shall use or attempt to use any (i) altered, fictitious, facsimile or simulated license to operate a motor vehicle, (ii) altered, fictitious, facsimile or simulated document, including, but not limited to a birth certificate or student identification card, or (iii) motor vehicle operator's license, birth certificate or student identification card of another person in order to establish a false identification or false age for himself to consume, purchase or attempt to consume or purchase an alcoholic beverage.

C. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor; and upon conviction, (i) such person shall be ordered to pay a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or ordered to perform a mandatory minimum of 50 hours of community service as a condition of probation supervision and (ii) such person's license to operate a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth may be suspended for a period of not more than one year. The court, in its discretion and upon a demonstration of hardship, may authorize any person convicted of a violation of this section the use of a restricted permit to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with the provisions of subsection D of § 16.1-278.9 or subsection E of § 18.2-271.1 or when referred to a local community-based probation program established pursuant to Article 9 (§ 9.1-173 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1. During the period of license suspension, the court may require a person issued a restricted permit under the provisions of this subsection to be (i) monitored by an alcohol safety action program, or (ii) supervised by a local community-based probation program established pursuant to Article 9 (§ 9.1-173 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1, if one has been established for the locality. The alcohol safety action program or local community-based probation program shall report to the court any violation of the terms of the restricted permit, the required alcohol safety action program monitoring or the local community-based probation and any condition related thereto or any failure to remain alcohol-free during the suspension period.

D. Any alcoholic beverage purchased or possessed in violation of this section shall be deemed contraband and forfeited to the Commonwealth in accordance with § 4.1-338.

E. Any retail licensee who in good faith promptly notifies the Board or any state or local law-enforcement agency of a violation or suspected violation of this section shall be accorded immunity from an administrative penalty for a violation of § 4.1-304.

F. When any person who has not previously been convicted of underaged consumption, purchase or possession of alcoholic beverages in Virginia or any other state or the United States is before the court, the court may, upon entry of a plea of guilty or not guilty, if the facts found by the court would justify a finding of guilt of a violation of subsection A, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of the accused, defer further proceedings and place him on probation subject to appropriate conditions. Such conditions may include the imposition of the license suspension and restricted license provisions in subsection C. However, in all such deferred proceedings, the court shall require the accused to enter a treatment or education program or both, if available, that in the opinion of the court best suits the needs of the accused. If the accused is placed on local community-based probation, the program shall be located in any of the judicial districts served by the community-based probation program or in any judicial district ordered by the court when the placement is with an alcohol safety action program. The services shall be provided by (i) a program licensed by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, (ii) certified by the Commission on VASAP, or (iii) by a program made available through a community-based probation program established pursuant to § 9.1-174, if one has been established for the locality. When an offender is ordered to enter a local community-based probation program rather than the alcohol safety action program, the local community-based probation program shall be responsible for providing for services or referring the offender to education or treatment services as a condition of probation.

Upon violation of a condition, the court may enter an adjudication of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided. Upon fulfillment of the conditions, the court shall discharge the person and dismiss the proceedings against him without an adjudication of guilt. A discharge and dismissal hereunder shall be treated as a conviction for the purpose of applying this section in any subsequent proceedings.

and that link you showed, that had the 50 state map claimed that Consumption in Virginia is legal, while if you actually read the Virginia State Code that I posted, it is not.


The links are misleading and will get a lot of people in trouble. Because its very hard to go before a judge and try to tell him/her that you were charged with Consumption of Alcohol in Virginia and that it is legal to do so because that website told you so.


On something as serious as that, read the DAMN CODE for where you live if you have a question. Most states put their codes online and they usually have search functions. Now sometimes they are difficult to search under, even though i use Codes everyday in writing tickets and such, and have an understanding of how the codes work (in virginia, section 18.2 is Criminal and 46.2 is traffic, etc.) I still had some trouble digging these up.

When teens get together, it's the same in Britain, Germany and I assure you, France.
Then the teens grow up and at some point get over it.

I have to disagree with that- i am an english teenager and i never drink to get drunk. i dont drink often, and i would say i am quite sensible about it. i wish my parents had introduced me to it earlier because the first time i had alcohol at a party i didnt realise how much i should be drinking, and got very drunk. funny, but stupid.

I have to disagree with that- i am an english teenager and i never drink to get drunk. i dont drink often, and i would say i am quite sensible about it. i wish my parents had introduced me to it earlier because the first time i had alcohol at a party i didnt realise how much i should be drinking, and got very drunk. funny, but stupid.
What did you say that actualy disagreed with the statement directly?
So far your two statements as far as I can tell are compatable

There are some that dont drink some that do

Some that will never drink and some that will drink far too much

All you have done is give us a statement that you are not among the group that does ... thats all fine and good but it does not prove the statement you are disagreing with right or wrong