Americas
| Country / region | De jure | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking age | Purchase age | ||
| Argentina | 18 | ||
| Bahamas | 18 | ||
| Belize | 18 | ||
| Bermuda | 18 | ||
| Bolivia | 18 | ||
| Brazil | 18 | Laws regarding possession or consumption of alcohol by minors are hardly enforced, especially if in the company of a parent or guardian, but those regarding selling minors alcohol are harshly imposed by law keepers, and it is law to remember the legal purchase age while advertising alcoholic beverages. ID Card is required for purchase. | |
| Canada | 18 | In Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, the legal drinking age is 18. Underage drinking by 16 and 17 year olds under parental supervision is permitted in Manitoba, and under parental supervision in a residence or a temporary residence in Alberta. | |
| 19 | In Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut, the legal drinking age is 19. Underage drinking under parental supervision is permitted, with some restrictions, on one's own property in the provinces of New Brunswick and Ontario and at home in the provinces of Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, only children of the supervising parents, not any other minors such as guests, are allowed underage drinking. Consumption of alcohol in another person's home is subject to other laws. | ||
| Chile | 18 | The minimum age is 18 for buying and consuming alcohol. Selling alcohol to a minor may attract a fine. One must provide identification upon request. Residents of Chile over the age of 18 must carry their Chilean identification card issued by the Civil Registry and Identification Service at all times. | |
| Colombia | 18 | ||
| Costa Rica | 18 | ||
| Cuba | None | 18 | |
| Dominican Republic | 18 | ||
| Ecuador | 18 | ||
| El Salvador | 18 | ||
| Guatemala | 18 | ||
| Guyana | 18 | ||
| Haiti | 16 | ||
| Honduras | 18 | ||
| Jamaica | None | 16 | |
| Mexico | 18 | ||
| Nicaragua | 19 | ||
| Panama | 18 | ||
| Paraguay | 20 | ||
| Peru | 18 | ||
| Puerto Rico | 18 | ||
| Trinidad and Tobago | 18 | ||
| United States (50 states and integral territories) |
21 | The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 withholds revenue from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. Prior to the effective date of that Act, the drinking age varied from state to state. Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in bars (usually, the difference between a bar and a restaurant is that food is served only in the latter). Contrary to popular belief, since the act went into law, only a few states prohibit minors and young adults from consuming alcohol in private settings. As of January 1, 2010, 15 states and the District of Columbia ban underage consumption outright, 17 states do not ban underage consumption, and the remaining 18 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws.
Federal law explicitly provides for religious, medical, employment and private club possession exceptions; as of 2005, 31 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. However, non-alcoholic beer in many (but not all) states, such as Idaho, Texas, and Maryland, is considered legal for minors (those under the age of 21). By a judge's ruling, South Carolina appears to allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by those 18 to 20 years of age, but a circuit court judge said otherwise. The State of Wisconsin allows the consumption of alcohol in the presence of parents. Some U.S. States have legislation that make providing to and possession of alcohol by minors (persons under 21) a gross misdemeanor with a potential of $5,000 and a year in jail (or more) See also: Minor in Possession |
|
| United States Virgin Islands | 18 | ||
| Uruguay | None | 18 | Alcohol sales are forbidden after 00.00 a.m. ID can be required. |
| Venezuela | 18 | ||
Read more about this topic: Legal Drinking Age
Famous quotes containing the word americas:
“The only history is a mere question of one’s struggle inside oneself. But that is the joy of it. One need neither discover Americas nor conquer nations, and yet one has as great a work as Columbus or Alexander, to do.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)