Do you think we should raise the legal drinking age to 21?

alphacenturi

For everyone from the US, this is YA UK and so this is a UK question where the age limit is 18 years old.

Seeing as the vast majority of people on YA are younger then i would think the bulk of the answers will be a little biased.

Why not concentrate on people under the current age, breathalizer them and then fine them if they have been drinking, first time Â£30, then Â£50, then Â£100, etc.

It has to be policed properly first instead of the current 'blind eye' approach, and if that still doesn't stop the fighting, the yob behaviour then raise it to 21.

And to the 18-21yr olds on here, do you really want to see 14 to 17yr old children in the nightclubs your going into? See them throwing up everywhere?

fangtaiyang

The legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21. It doesn't seem to cause a lot of problems since it was raised universally, over twenty years ago. I doubt it would cause problems anywhere else.

Snowraider

Yes, they do in America. Teenagers just cannot handle it and are just too stupid with it. Don't forget it is the general public that seem to suffer most from their stupidity and abuse.

Marie-E

As far as the UK (legal drinking age 18) i don't think it would help things. We need to change the attitutude to alcohol without that you will still get a few licensees selling under age or parents buying for their children.

Children need to be introduced to alcohol from a young age, with meals, and taight that it is normal, otherwise it become a great thing that adults do and it is portrayed that the only way to have a good night out is to get "hammered".

Alan AKA EvilWeezil

from the UK
what would be the point
underage drinkers would still be doing it
the law says you have to be 18
how many 10,11,12,13yr olds go down the park and get bladdered? It would still happen children need to be better educated about alcohol abuse
p.s. doesnt bother me well over 21
but young children should not be drinking

st.abbs

I think it should be banned altogether.

Cornish_Angel

(for the first answered -in the UK the drinking age is 18) Yes and No, i'm 18 in feb and wldnt want it to go up cos id miss out on the mega 18th boozer. and yes it should becos then there would b less teenage drunks and kids drunk at 13 cos parents give em alcohol!

Angela M

You'r obviously British and it is a cracking idea. I have loads of trouble working out what age the drinking buffs are in my local community. If the age was raised to 21 then there would be less under 18 year olds able to fool us. If you were to view somebody as 21 instead of 18. I'm sure the wee 16 year olds would get a tougher ride. When are you going for your parliamentary seat???

katydid

In California, the legal age to drink is 21. I think it should stay there. Teens are already involved in the majority of fatal accidents, why add to it?

Mercede's Lamp

Wouldn't be fair to the more mature 18yr olds in society
and if the legal age were changed there would be more ways found to sneak drinks anyway.

CompLLC

They should ban alcoholic beverages for anyone under 23 and for people with certain violations, such as: Drunk Driving (DUI), Intoxicated in Public, Open Intoxicants in a Vehicle (Minor), etc. for at least a period of one to five years and have a three strike rule (Indefinite Suspension) where the DMV issues you a "No Alcohol" drivers license or state ID.

Chris C

Noooooooooo!!!

[ Note to Americans: It's 21 for you... Not for us. This is a UK question ]

amsterdam

I cannot believe the number of US responses to this question - they really do think they are the only country in the world, don't they ?

To answer the question - no. I can see where you're coming from, but under 21s would continue to drink illegally anyway. Better to ensure that the laws we already have are properly enforced.

Realist

It's not??? How old are you?

harryhotun

No.
There are laws that forbid the publican selling drink for anyone already under the influence.
The police should enact their powers and check on outlets in problem areas and bring prosecutions against those who ignore this existing law.

cootersgirltwo

legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21 where have you been? you need to say where you are from.. all of us here in the U.S. think we are the only ones that get on here according to some....

zemzem

Hmmm.
If it were raised then there would be less people drinking at places, so potentially less accidents from drink driving.
But on the other hand if you raise it, it will become even more appealing to some youngsters, and quite a lot of teenagers who drink lots because they cant become more mature when they hit eighteen and dont drink as excessively, so if you upped the limit would there stupidity carry on until they were 21?
It's a tough one!!