Question: Was there ever a time when the drinking age was 18 years? If so, when?
Answer: Before 1986, some U.S. states had a drinking age of 21 and some had a drinking age of 18. State governments in each of the 50 US states, not the federal government, control the minimum drinking age. However, the federal government can force states into adopting certain laws.
In 1984, Congress passed the National Minimum Purchase Age Act, to encourage each state to institute a minimum legal purchase age (MLPA) of 21 by 1986. This act made it nearly impossible for states to receive funding from the federal government for construction of highways if the minimum legal drinking age was under 21. Since all states depend on the federal government for highway funding (which equals Billions of dollars each year) all US states enacted minimum drinking ages of 21.
Today, the minimum drinking age in all 50 US states is 21 years of age.
The main federal acts concerned with alcoholic beverages are:
Title 27 of the United States Code (Federal Law)
The Federal Alcohol Administration Act, at 27 USC §§201 - 207
The Federal Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act, at 27 USC §§213 - 219a.
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On 12/09/03
charles from OR said:
i think we all should go on strike and vote for the drinking age to lowered to 18, because even if they don't lower it we per adults can still find a way.
PS. when there's a will there's a way.
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On 11/16/03
Dave from Othe said:
ha ha! American drinking laws really are stupid.. i've been drinking since i was about 13 and I think it would be patronising if the same laws were imposed here (England). I've never been seriously drunk but its fun to go to parties and stuff and get tipsy... It's just enjoying your youth.
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On 11/10/03
David from IL said:
I need to argue why we should lower the drinking age for a health assignment, if you do it, then that would make it a lot easier!
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On 11/08/03
cori from FL said:
the age should be lowered. you can vote, smoke and even die for your country but you cant even have a beer?!?it should be lowered to 18 because at this age you are considered an adult. you even get credit cards in the mail with your names on them, you can get tattos,smoke (which is also adictive)but you cant go and relax with your friends and have a few drinks at a local bar. i think its crazy that you have to wait till you are 18 when you can do so many other things that could damage your life perminately. so no you should wait, it should be owered.
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On 11/07/03
tim from Othe said:
This is one of the times I'm glad I don't live in the US. Wait, thats all the time. The drinking age in Australia is 18 - and thats probably still too high. I've just gotten back from a trip around Europe where I could drink whenever i felt like - and honestly it seems like they have no more, or even less, problems with alcohol than back home. Anyway, hope all you have fun waiting til you're 21
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