Alcohol Consumption
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption. In particular, such laws specify the minimum age at which a person may legally buy or drink them. This minimum age varies between 16 and 25 years, depending upon the country and the type of drink. Most nations set it at 18 years of age.
The production and consumption of alcohol occurs in most cultures of the world, from hunter-gatherer peoples to nation-states. Alcoholic beverages are often an important part of social events in these cultures.
Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that has a depressant effect. A high blood alcohol content is usually considered to be legal drunkenness because it reduces attention and slows reaction speed. Alcohol can be addictive; addiction to alcohol is known as alcoholism.
Read more about Alcohol Consumption: Types, Alcohol Content of Beverages, Standard Drinks, Serving Sizes, Flavoring, Flammability, Uses, Alcohol Consumption By Country, Outright Prohibition of Alcohol, Legal Drinking Age, Drunk Driving Laws, Taxation and Regulation of Production, Restrictions On Sale and Possession, Effects of Alcohol On Health, Alcohol Expectations, Alcohol and Religion, History, Chemistry, Toxicology, Raw Materials of Alcoholic Beverages
Famous quotes containing the words alcohol and/or consumption:
“Some parents feel that if they introduce their children to alcohol gradually in the home environment, the children will learn to use alcohol in moderation. I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. First of all, alcohol is not healthy for the growing child. Second, introducing alcohol to a child suggests that you condone drinking—even to the point where you want to teach your child how to drink.”
—Lawrence Balter (20th century)
“The Landlord is a gentleman ... who does not earn his wealth. He has a host of agents and clerks that receive for him. He does not even take the trouble to spend his wealth. He has a host of people around him to do the actual spending. He never sees it until he comes to enjoy it. His sole function, his chief pride, is the stately consumption of wealth produced by others.”
—David Lloyd George (1863–1945)