Alcohol consumption has a causal impact on more than 200 health conditions (diseases and injuries). This shows the expenditure on alcohol in the United States, differentiated by where the alcohol has been purchased and consumed. This interactive chart shows the average share of household expenditure that is spent on alcohol. Data on the share who don’t drink alcohol by gender and age group in the UK is available here. This pattern of drinking is often termed ‘binging,’ where individuals consume large amounts of alcohol within a single session versus small quantities more frequently. In September, WHO launched an initiative called SAFER in an effort to help governments around the world reduce the harmful impacts of excessive alcohol consumption.
Share of adults who drink alcohol
Furthermore, most of the countries, including France and Italy, consume alcohol with food. The concept of drinking seems to be less of a “big deal” in Europe than in America. At home, parents or guardians can allow their drinking age map children to have alcohol. However, the UK chief recommends that underage persons not drink at least until they are 15. Usually, children as young as five don’t drink much, and having more than probably a few sips is not typically advised. Some experts might say to not allow young people to drink more than once a week.
Alcohol purchase laws
However, underage drinking is allowed in the presence of a responsible adult. It was done to help parents teach their children the importance of moderation when drinking. Illinois is strict and enforces the law against possession or consumption of alcohol by anyone under 21. There is an exception for an underage individual who is at home with a parent or legal guardian. In 2017, lawmakers considered a bill to allow underage drinking of beer and wine in restaurants or at family gatherings with parental consent, but it has yet to move forward or pass.
- The first map shows this in terms of spirits as a share of total alcohol consumption.
- These codes also control the content shown on radio and TV or in print or on outdoor signs featuring advertisement.
- But there are consequences if a state does not comply with the federal minimum age law; they risk losing federal funds (mostly for highway projects).
- Most Russians believe that the minimum drinking age in the country is 18 years.
Source for International Minimum Ages for Sales of Alcohol
If you think la dolce vita involves buying fine Italian wines, Limoncello and other alcoholic fare at a café, then you’ll need to be 18 to do so on your own. You should have ID at the ready, though the age rules might not be strictly enforced. People 17 and younger can have a drink with their parents and no one will likely look askance.
When Federal Prohibition was rolled back in 1933, the majority of decisions on how to regulate alcohol were left to the states — including minimum drinking ages. By the end of the decade, all of the states had their laws on the books. Most opted to go with 21 — the age of “majority” — when you become an adult, though a few were a bit more adventurous. Mississippi on the other hand was quite regressive, prohibiting the sale of all alcohol on the state level until 1966. Any college student can tell you the legal drinking age, what it used to be, and what it is in the country they’re about to study abroad in.
While most countries you only have to be 18 to have a beer at a public establishment, it’s revealing to see the spread of drinking ages across the world. On the flip side, the youngest drinking age on our list belongs to Germany. In Germany, if a 14-year-old is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, it is legal for them to consume or purchase beer, wine, and cider. Without a parent or legal guardian, you must be 16 years or older in order to consume or purchase the alcohol. However, when it comes to hard liquor, you must be 18 years or older in order to serve, sell or supply.
Italy, France and other European nations have high rates of alcohol consumption among the youth. They grew up with it, and for some reason, they feel compelled to overindulge more than adults. Researchers and public institutions continue to advocate less drinking among teenagers and children. In many places of the world, you cannot buy alcohol for people under the minimum drinking age of that location.