In fact, 44% of global adults had never consumed alcoholic beverages at all. Drinking among people aged 21 to 25 also declined significantly when states adopted the age 21 MLDA, from 70% in 1985 to 56% in 1991…. Combine a lack of consequences with the thrill of breaking the law, and MLDA 21 actually encourages underage drinking and potentially other illegal activities, such as driving while intoxicated and illicit drug use. Lowering the MLDA would make 18–20-year-olds subject to the same laws enforced for those 21 and over. Russia’s Health Ministry is drafting legislation to raise the legal drinking age of strong alcohol from 18 to 21, Interfax reported on Friday, citing ministry officials.

Which country has the lowest drinking age in the world?

1. Other potential health initiatives include slapping more taxes companies that sell alcohol and tobacco, as well as introducing excise duties on foods with excess sugar and salt.
2. However, the legal minimum ages are often the same for both on- and off-premise purchases.
3. On February 18, 2020, the German Government stated that they will not raise the drinking age to 18.

It’s why Italy now attempts to control teenage drinking more than they did in the past. If you are traveling or studying in Italy, you might need to know what the drinking age is there. Youth ages 16 and over can purchase alcohol with the appropriate identification. The Minimum Legal Drinking Age in Germany is 16 for both drinking wine and beer at an establishment and at home.

Youth Alcohol Consumption

This calculates close to what the United States constitutes as being “a drink.” It’s usually measured as approximately 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine or a shot of hard liquor. School-age children and young adults also receive some of the same warnings about drinking too much alcohol as do the adults. Given how Russia has very controversial punishments for its prisoners, be sure to obey their laws and follow the proper drinking age in Russia when you do end up in this country. Meanwhile, there are still things you can do around Russia without the aid of alcohol, such as watching a ballet performance or visiting a museum. If you do get invited to drink though, just make sure you do it in moderation.

It is common to see people swigging beer in public spaces, such as streets and parks, as if they are drinking soft drinks. In November, a survey by the state-run VTsIOM pollster said that 78% of Russians were in favor of raising the minimum drinking age from 18 to 21 years. Official statistics cited by Interfax show average alcohol consumption in Russia plummeting by a third between 2009 and 2016. Consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has credited new minimum price laws, advertising bans and sales restrictions for the drop.

The country also has experienced greater penalties for drinking on the street as of 2020. In Florence, Italy, where they don’t sell alcohol in stores past 9pm, they issue fines of €500. At home, parents or guardians can allow their children to have alcohol. However, the UK chief recommends that underage persons not drink at least until they are 15. Usually, children as young as five don’t drink much, and having more than probably a few sips is not typically advised. Some experts might say to not allow young people to drink more than once a week.

However, as of 2024, the legal drinking age in Russia remains at 18, with some exceptions for stronger alcoholic beverages. Russia has a prominent drinking culture, with alcohol consumption in the country remaining among the highest in the world. In 2011, annual per capita consumption of alcohol in Russia was about 15.76 litres of pure alcohol, the fourth-highest volume in Europe. While the Russian government has implemented various anti-alcoholism measures, drinking is a pervasive, socially acceptable behaviour in Russian society. This means that anyone over the age of 18 can legally purchase and consume alcohol. It’s worth noting that there is no legal drinking age for non-alcoholic beverages in Russia.

According to Time magazine, Italy is considered a “sipping culture.” It’s not that people don’t get intoxicated here. This is different than much of the rest of the world staying at home this year. Minors may not always have permission to drink, depending on where they live. People underage can drink under parental supervision in some locations such as Manitoba and New Brunswick. Following the July 1, 1971, passage of the 26th Amendment, which lowered the legal voting age from 21 to 18 years of age, 30 U.S. states lowered their MLDA to 18, 19, or 20.

For example, alcohol is not sold during the Scarlet Sails Festival in St Petersburg. Local governments have the authority to decide on alcohol sales restrictions during specific events or holidays. Nevertheless, alcohol remains available in bars and restaurants during these times. Russia has a prominent drinking culture, with alcohol consumption in the country being among the highest in the world. In 2011, the annual per capita consumption of alcohol in Russia was about 15.76 litres of pure alcohol, the fourth-highest volume in Europe. While this figure dropped to 11.7 litres in 2016 and to about 10.5 litres in 2019, the problem of excessive alcohol consumption in Russia persists.

Only public businesses that have the proper license can sell alcohol, and the drinking age in Ireland is at least 18. Restaurants, hotels and resorts or pubs all have to abide by rules stating what hours of the day they can serve, and they could end up with fines, jail time or closure if they sell to minors. The Minimum Drinking Age in France is 18 for purchases and consumption of all alcoholic beverages. As of 2009, French teenagers could still buy wine, beer, and other fermented beverages at 16. The information below is not in any way intended to be legal advice or to encourage alcohol consumption by people under the age of 21.

Adult Drinking Concerns

By comparison, only 32.2% of people in Africa and 33.1% of people in South-East Asia (India, North Korea, Sri Lanka, etc.) drank in 2016. What’s more, 94.9% of people in the Eastern Mediterranean region (Egypt, Iran, Yemen, etc.) have abstained from alcohol their entire lives. Alcohol consumption, it should be noted, is illegal in many Eastern Mediterranean countries, at least for Muslims.

The same rules apply in bars – IDs are usually checked at the entrance. There it doesn’t always matter exactly how old you are, as long as it’s over 18, although some bars do just generally have an over-21 policy. It’s hard to predict if an ID check will be done at the entrance or at the bar, so it’s best to always have some form of identification at all times. Don’t worry if it’s not legal drinking age in russia in Russian, as long as the date of birth is clear, it shouldn’t be a problem.