Lena Savoie
The legal age to purchase alcohol varies by region. In the United States, the legal age to purchase alcohol is 21 years old. Some states, like Texas, have stricter laws, and retailers may refuse to sell alcohol to a group containing a minor, even if the minor is not the one making the purchase. In Canada, the legal drinking age is 18 in Ontario. In New Zealand, there is no legal drinking age, but it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to sell alcohol in the US | 21 years |
| Penalty for selling alcohol to someone under 21 years in the US | Misdemeanor |
| Penalty for a person under 21 years attempting to buy alcohol in the US | Fine of up to $250 or community service |
| Minimum age to sell alcohol in Ontario | 18 years |
| Minimum age to buy alcohol in Ontario | 19 years |
| Minimum age to sell alcohol in New Zealand | 18 years |
| Minimum age to buy alcohol in New Zealand | None |
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What You'll Learn
ID requirements for buying alcohol
The legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years old. Anyone under the age of 21 who attempts to purchase alcohol is guilty of an infraction and may be fined or required to perform community service. The legal drinking age varies across the world, for example, in Ontario, Canada, the drinking age is 19.
To purchase alcohol in the US, a customer must present valid, original identification. This includes a driver's license, a state ID card, or a passport. The ID must be physically handled to check for signs of a fake ID, such as weight, thickness, smooth edges, and irregularities on the card. Staff should be adequately trained to recognize false IDs and prevent illegal sales to minors.
In some states, like Texas, if an older individual is buying alcohol while accompanied by a minor, both parties may be asked to present ID. This is done to prevent the purchase of alcohol on behalf of minors. However, this varies by state law, store policy, and the individual cashier. In California, a licensee or their employee may refuse to sell alcohol to anyone unable to produce adequate written evidence that they are over the age of 21.
It is important to note that the legal drinking age and ID requirements may vary by country and state, and it is the responsibility of the seller to ensure they are complying with the relevant laws and regulations.
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Drinking laws in Texas
In Texas, you must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol. This means that anyone under the age of 21 is prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, a minor may possess or consume alcohol in the visible presence of their adult parent, guardian, or spouse. Additionally, minors are allowed to possess alcohol if they are working for law enforcement purposes.
Texas has specific laws regarding the sale of alcohol. Alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. In most areas, liquor cannot be sold in grocery, drug, or convenience stores, although these retailers are permitted to sell beer and wine. Beer and wine can be sold from 7:00 a.m. until midnight Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. until midnight on Sunday. Licensed restaurants and bars can serve alcohol for consumption on their premises starting at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays if served with food, and until 2:00 a.m. every night if they have a late-hours permit.
There are also laws in Texas regarding the transportation of alcohol. All previously opened containers of alcoholic beverages must be stored and transported in a vehicle's trunk or other secure storage areas to which the driver and passengers do not have access. It is illegal to transport an open alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a vehicle, regardless of the type or amount of alcohol.
Texas has strict penalties for underage drinking and serving alcohol to minors. A minor caught purchasing, attempting to purchase, possessing, or consuming alcohol can face fines, community service, and even jail time. Additionally, a conviction can have long-lasting consequences, such as difficulty obtaining a driver's license or finding certain jobs. If you sell or serve alcohol to a minor, you may be subject to a $4,000 fine, up to a year in jail, or both. You can also be held liable for any damages caused by an intoxicated minor you served alcohol to.
Texas also has an implied consent law, which requires drivers to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test if requested by a police officer. If a driver refuses to take an alcohol test, their driver's license can be suspended for up to a year.
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Drinking laws in Ontario
In Ontario, the legal drinking age is 19 years. Serving alcohol to those under 19 is an offence under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019. Alcohol cannot be passed from a person of legal drinking age to someone below the legal drinking age.
The legal age to sell, serve, deliver, or handle alcohol in the province of Ontario is 18 years. If an employee will be handling alcohol, the minimum age to work in liquor sales licensed establishments, authorised grocery stores, or winery, distillery, or brewery retail stores is 18 years of age. If there is any doubt about a person's age, staff should ask for a valid form of identification. This must be a current, government-issued photo ID that includes the person's date of birth.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) oversees the sale and service of alcohol. Beverage alcohol retailers in Ontario include the government-owned Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and private businesses such as The Beer Store, authorised grocery stores, and manufacturers' off- and on-site retail stores.
As a host, it is important to be aware of your guests' drinking. You may be sued and held liable when you provide alcohol to guests who are intoxicated and injure themselves or others, either at the event or on their way home. You are more likely to be held legally responsible when underage youth are involved. If you allow an underage BYOB event to be held on your property, you may be held liable for injuries suffered or caused by a drunk guest. This is also true if you bought or provided the alcohol for the underage event.
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Drinking laws in New Zealand
In New Zealand, the drinking laws are governed by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, which covers the safe and responsible sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol, as well as the minimisation of harm caused by its excessive or inappropriate use.
The legal drinking age in New Zealand is 18 years old. This means that individuals aged 18 or above can enter licensed premises, purchase alcohol, and consume it responsibly. Acceptable forms of identification to prove one's age include a New Zealand driver's license, Hospitality New Zealand 18+ card, Kiwi Access Card, or passport.
For those under the age of 18, it is illegal for anyone, including parents or legal guardians, to supply them with alcohol, unless it is done in a safe and responsible manner. Minors (under 18s) are allowed in licensed premises under certain conditions. They may be in a restricted area if they are employed for specific tasks such as preparing or serving meals, cleaning, or stocking. In supervised areas, they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or be employed for certain tasks. Undesignated areas are open to anyone, regardless of age.
New Zealand has strict laws against drink-driving, with alcohol being the most common recreational drug in the country and contributing to a significant number of police incidents, including violent offending, homicides, and road accidents. Between 600 and 800 people in New Zealand die each year from alcohol-related causes, highlighting the importance of adhering to the country's drinking laws and consuming alcohol responsibly.
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Decoy programs for alcohol purchases
In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21 years. Any individual below this age attempting to purchase alcohol can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $250 for a first-time offence, with the penalty increasing for subsequent violations.
To enforce this law, several states and police departments have implemented "Minor Decoy Programs" where volunteers below the age of 20 are used to identify and combat illegal alcohol sales to minors at licensed premises. These programs are designed to prevent and deter the sale and furnishing of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age. For instance, the Oakland Police Department's Alcohol Beverage Action Team (ABAT) recruits cadets to pose as minors trying to purchase alcohol from local bars, clubs, and restaurants. In the 1997-1998 fiscal year, there were 291 ongoing minor decoy programs that made over 6,000 visits, resulting in over 1,300 violations.
The guidelines for these decoy programs vary across states and are often a point of contention. For instance, in Oakland, male decoys are not allowed to have facial hair, and female decoys are not allowed to wear makeup, which some argue makes it difficult to portray a realistic minor. Additionally, decoys are not allowed to lie about their age or carry fake identification, which some critics argue limits the effectiveness of the program.
While some in the liquor industry view these programs as entrapment, supporters argue that they are a proven strategy to protect youth from the dangers of underage drinking and ensure responsible alcohol sales. The Los Angeles Police Department, for example, has continuously used these programs as a preventive measure, with studies revealing that 46% of minors who drink alcohol obtain it by soliciting adults outside of licensed establishments.
It is important to note that the enforcement of legal drinking age and the use of decoy programs can vary depending on the state and local laws, as well as the policies of individual stores. Some stores may require ID from everyone in a group purchasing alcohol, while others may only ID the person making the purchase.
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Frequently asked questions
In the US, you must be 21 years or older to purchase alcohol.
In Canada, the legal drinking age is 18 or 19 years, depending on the province.
In New Zealand, it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.
In the US, some states may allow those under 21 to drink alcohol if they are on private, non-licensed premises and have the consent of their parent or legal guardian. In Canada, those under 18 may be allowed in licensed premises but cannot purchase alcohol. In New Zealand, those under 18 may consume alcohol if they have the express consent of their parent or guardian and the alcohol is supplied in a responsible manner.
If you are under the legal drinking age and attempt to purchase alcohol, you may be fined or required to perform community service. The retailer may also refuse to sell alcohol to anyone who cannot provide valid identification.
