The Student Room Group

should the UK general drinking age be reduced to 16?

many countries in Europe don't have a drinking age and in some countries the general drinking age is 16. when i say general drinking age, i mean the age you have to be to buy alcohol and to drink unsupervised.

so what do you think?

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Reply 1
no point because 18 is the legal age where you can BUY alcohol. There's nothing to stop you from DRINKING under the age of 18
Absolutely not.
Original post by MR freshman 2017
many countries in Europe don't have a drinking age and in some countries the general drinking age is 16. when i say general drinking age, i mean the age you have to be to buy alcohol and to drink unsupervised.

so what do you think?




This appears to be false.

drinking age.PNG
No, numerous studies shows that you can become an alcoholic at a very young age, so why should a young person make a possibly life-changing decision without knowing the full consequences.

In my personal opinion Alcohol should be illegal or either a large cap on the amount included in beverages as it is far more dangerous in amounts than most drugs that are already illegal in the UK.
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by 999tigger
This appears to be false.

drinking age.PNG


when was this source released?
Reply 6
No
It's like asking should the age for watching porn be reduced to 12
Original post by MR freshman 2017
when was this source released?


Last updated Oct 2016.
No. Alcohol is just as bad as smoking.
Reply 10
Here come all the anti-booze warriors :laugh:
It's fine as it is.
Should be reduced to about 14. If children are able to drink from an earlier age then we might be able to lessen the affect of the binge drink culture at Uni etc...
Children in France and Italy drink wine with a meal from a young age, they don't have anywhere near the amount of alcohol-related problems as us.

Get children used to it, and it won't be as much of a big deal when they are older.
Original post by SCIENCE :D
Should be reduced to about 14. If children are able to drink from an earlier age then we might be able to lessen the affect of the binge drink culture at Uni etc...
Children in France and Italy drink wine with a meal from a young age, they don't have anywhere near the amount of alcohol-related problems as us.

Get children used to it, and it won't be as much of a big deal when they are older.


You can have a drink with a meal at 16.

If parents want their children to drink then as quite a lot of drinking now takes place at home, then they can decide for themselves. If there is an alcohol problem uni this country then it runs deeper than just the drinking age.
Reply 14
Original post by SCIENCE :D
Should be reduced to about 14. If children are able to drink from an earlier age then we might be able to lessen the affect of the binge drink culture at Uni etc...
Children in France and Italy drink wine with a meal from a young age, they don't have anywhere near the amount of alcohol-related problems as us.

Get children used to it, and it won't be as much of a big deal when they are older.


My parents were of this opinion and started introducing me to it hen I was 13/14. I've never drank in a park, never ended up in hospital because of ale, any of that stuff.
Original post by MR freshman 2017
many countries in Europe don't have a drinking age and in some countries the general drinking age is 16. when i say general drinking age, i mean the age you have to be to buy alcohol and to drink unsupervised.

so what do you think?


Tbh, culture and education will have a significant impact on the ages people partake in certain activities rather than laws.

Example: US - lots of states have state you can't have sex until you're 18 - lots of pregnant teens still occur.

Example: Germany - age of consent is 14, yet lower proportion of teenage pregnancies. Average age of sex is a fair way higher than 14 too
Original post by 999tigger
You can have a drink with a meal at 16.

If parents want their children to drink then as quite a lot of drinking now takes place at home, then they can decide for themselves. If there is an alcohol problem uni this country then it runs deeper than just the drinking age.


You're well versed in Law aren't you? Why is it 16 with a meal? Does it have to be in a restaurant where they're supervised, or can it be a takeaway meal too?
No lol I think they should increase it with the amount of drink driving and accidents :/
Reply 18
i think it's fine at 18 tbh, no need to lower it
Original post by Kyber Ninja
You're well versed in Law aren't you? Why is it 16 with a meal? Does it have to be in a restaurant where they're supervised, or can it be a takeaway meal too?


Be a sit down meal. I doubt many take aways sell alcohol.
If a teenager wants to drink I cant believe it is that hard to obtain. I cant see the need to rush.


It is not illegal:

For someone over 18 to buy a child over 16 beer, wine or cider if they are eating a table meal together in licensed premises.

For a child aged five to 16 to drink alcohol at home or on other private premises.

(edited 6 years ago)

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