Under Age Drinking in Aus

UNDER AGE DRINKING

Alcohol consumption among underage people in Australia is a significant problem. The 2005 South Australian Secondary Students' Alcohol and Drug Strategy showed that over 85% of South Australian schoolchildren (aged 12-17 years) had tried alcohol and many young people engage in harmful drinking behaviours. Young people are especially at risk of experiencing harms from alcohol consumption as a younger person's ability to cope with alcohol is influenced by their physical size and stage of development. Young people generally have a smaller body size than adults, and therefore tolerate less alcohol. They also lack experience of alcohol and its effects. This lack of experience also means that their bodies have not developed any tolerance to alcohol.
There are laws relating to alcohol consumption by minors (those aged under 18 years). In South Australia, the major legislation which controls the sale and consumption of alcohol is the South Australian Liquor Licensing Act 1997.

In summary, minors:

- can consume alcohol provided it is not in a public place or regulated premises

- can consume alcohol in a public place under the supervision of an adult legal guardian or spouse provided that it is not a dry area, regulated premises or in or near to prescribed entertainment such as a dance

- can generally be on licensed premises before midnight (before 9:00 p.m. in an entertainment venue) but cannot obtain or consume alcohol

- are not allowed in areas of licensed premises declared out of bounds to minors, or in gaming areas

- are not allowed on licensed premises between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless in a designated dining area, a bedroom or an area approved for minors.

Posted By Wesley Adams