Addressing the harmful use of alcohol - WHO Western Pacific Region

Addressing the harmful use of alcohol : A guide to developing effective alcohol legislation
There is currently a debate in the developed alcohol markets of New Zealand, Scotland and
Ireland about whether 18 years is high enough, given evidence of increased drinking and
disproportionate harm among older teenagers and young adults. When New Zealand reduced
the minimum age from 20 years to 18 years in 1999 there was a marked increase in the
proportion of 18 to 19 year olds involved in traffic crashes and requiring emergency room
treatment. There was also a spill-over effect: an increased proportion of younger teenagers
drinking larger quantities (Huckle et al. 2005). When American states put their minimum age
back up to 21 in the early 1980s, similar harm statistics improved (Wagenaar and Toomey
2002).
From 2008 Viet Nam prohibited the sale of alcohol to all children and juveniles under the age of
18 years. Previously, juveniles between 16 years and 18 years of age could be sold alcoholic
beverages that were less than 14% ABV.
A young minimum purchase age can increase supply to under-age teenagers, as friends or
siblings just old enough to purchase alcohol may underestimate risks and be more willing
to supply than older adults. The evidence from the United States of America and elsewhere
shows that countries wishing to reduce alcohol-related harm among their young people should
set a high minimum age for the sale and purchase of alcohol.
Secondary supply to a minor
Legislation makes it an offence for adults to supply alcohol to a minor. Exceptions to this
principle make enforcement of the minimum age complex, and may send a mixed message
to young people.
Some legislation in Australia and New Zealand makes an exception to allow a parent or
guardian to give alcohol to their own child or take them into age-restricted premises. A few
Acts also exempt purchase for a minor by a spouse aged over 18 years or a responsible adult
but recently enacted legislation does not. A few laws allow supply to a minor by any adult if
it occurs in a private social setting. For example, New Zealand police find themselves unable
to prosecute adults for irresponsible supply of large quantities of alcohol to out-of-control
teenage parties if they are on private property.
Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland recently prohibited the supply of alcohol to an
underage person on private premises without the direct approval of the parent or guardian. In
New Zealand, the debate is underway as to whether to require parental permission, or parental
supervision of any drinking, or to fully remove these exemptions from prosecution for the
offence of supplying alcohol to a minor.
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