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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.


Comments
41 thru 45 of 56 comments
On 08/06/02
Jamie from FL said:
My opinion is if you're old enough (18), 17 with parent's permission to join the military and die for your country you are old enough to drink. It is a flaw in our system that the federal government can bribe the states with federal funding. Besides, in moderation drinking is good for you, however cigarettes are never good for you no matter the amount but you can purchase cigs at 18 and not alcohol? Where's the logic? Give me a break! Either you're an adult at 18 or you are an adult at 21. Pick one and choose, don't make things more difficult than the have to be.
On 07/18/02
hannah from Othe said:
the legal age were i live in britain is 18 and i think its perfect!!!! we dont need i'd coz everyone is laid back the police arent bothered wot drink we've got the just pour the open drink down a drain and let us keep the rest no MIP or stuff olike that i think america is far to tought on u guys!you've got my support to lower the legal age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On 04/16/02
Tyler from KS said:
I think the same but right now we all think that it is cool to drink cause we are doing it when we are not aloud too.But it would be cool if we could drink when we are 18 or even 17 cause u can drive places at 17 and some places younger. And at 18 you can die for the our country and by smokes and stuff so yeah why not go head and be able to drink.
On 04/16/02
Frosty from KS said:
Yeah it should be fine to drink at the age 18 cause you can die for our country... RIGHT??
On 04/07/02
Trista from MI said:
I think that young people who are under super vison should be able to drink in moderations. If our parents would set an example of good drinking to there kids then maybe kids wouldn't be out drinking as much as they can as fast as they can. I didn't start to drink tell i was 16, but i have never went to a party to get drunk. just the thought of hang overs and throwing up just doesn't seem to impress me to much. If our young adults could be taught how to drink in moderations and not in a big hurry then maybe we wouldn't have to worry about kids getting alcohol poisioning and die. Plus if our
41 thru 45 of 56 comments



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