Legal age for drinking
Sir, — I think that most of your correspondents have overlooked the problem of the 18 to 20-year-old who has interest enough in his or her future not to want an under-age drinking charge, yet does not want to be unsociable. We must be realistic; most 18-year-olds drink, and they drink in pubs (for what popular alternative social activities are offered them?). The risk of being caught is not great, and what is $2O if one is? The present law does not prevent most 18 to 20-year-olds from drinking or entering pubs as it was destined to; it merely prevents the minority, not willing to take the risk of being caught, from entering pubs. I do not think that this minority would develop serious drinking problems if the legal age iwere lowered. Under-18-year-olds could be further discouraged from entering pubs by increasing the risk of getting caught and increasing fines — Yours, etc., M. J. I August 25, 1975,
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Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33933, 28 August 1975, Page 12
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161Legal age for drinking Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33933, 28 August 1975, Page 12
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