What is the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984?

If you’re a bartender looking to enter the industry, you must be aware of the laws surrounding alcoholic drinking. An important rule you should understand is the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which established the legal drinking age as 21. To know more about this law, we’re going to go into detail about what this Act entails and why it became effective. 

What is the Legal Age to Drink in the United States? 

The legal age to drink today in the United States is 21, as established by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. 

Why is the Drinking Age 21? 

The United States drinking age of 21 was established by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. The law was passed in response to concerns about increasing traffic accidents involving young drivers who had consumed alcohol. Research showed that individuals under 21 were at a higher risk for drunk driving and other dangerous behaviors related to alcohol consumption.

Raising the drinking age to 21 was intended to reduce these risks and help keep the roads safer. The law was also seen as a way to align the legal drinking age with the age of majority in the U.S., which is 21. The law has effectively reduced alcohol-related traffic accidents and fatalities and has become widely accepted as the norm in the U.S.

What does the National Minimum Drinking Age Act prohibit? 

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 prohibits the sale or provision of alcohol to individuals under the age of 21. This applies to all alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits. The act also makes it illegal for individuals under 21 to purchase or possess alcohol, with certain exceptions for religious or medical purposes. The act applies to all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and states that fail to enforce the minimum drinking age risk losing federal highway funding.

Did Reagan Raise the Drinking Age?

The drinking age in the United States was raised from 18 to 21 years old during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. The law has been in effect since 1984 when President Reagan signed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act. President Reagan supported the law to reduce alcohol-related traffic accidents and fatalities and align the legal drinking age with the age of majority in the U.S.

Did Obama Lower the Drinking Age?

President Barack Obama did not lower the drinking age during his presidency. He did not publicly support any effort to reduce the minimum legal drinking age, which remains 21 years old in the United States, as established by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984.

While some individuals and organizations have advocated for a lower drinking age, the minimum legal drinking age of 21 has remained unchanged since Obama's presidency.

When May a Minor Legally Purchase Alcohol? 

In the United States, minors are not legally allowed to purchase or possess alcohol, with some exceptions. As mentioned, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 establishes a minimum drinking age of 21 and makes it illegal for individuals under that age to purchase or possess alcohol.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule, including:

• Religious purposes: Minors may possess or consume alcohol during a religious ceremony.
• Medical purposes: Minors may be allowed to possess or consume alcohol for medical reasons with a prescription from a licensed physician.
• Consent of a parent or guardian: In some states, minors may be allowed to purchase or consume alcohol with the permission of a parent or guardian.

It's important to note that while these exceptions may apply in some states, they are still subject to state and local laws, which can vary. In general, it's illegal for minors to purchase or possess alcohol, and it's essential to follow the rules and regulations in your area to avoid penalties.

Does the Legal Drinking Age of 21 Save Lives? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the minimum legal drinking age of 21 saves lives and improves health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that:

• States that raised the legal drinking age to 21 saw a 16% median decrease in motor vehicle crashes. 
• After the minimum legal drinking age was raised to 21 by all the states, drinking during the previous month among the 18-to-20-year old’s declined from 59% in 1985 to 40% in 1991.
• Drinking among people aged 21 to 25 also declined significantly when states raised the federal drinking age to 21, from 70% in 1985 to 56% in 1991. 

Research shows that the minimum legal drinking age of 21 saves lives and protects health in the following ways:

1. Reduces Drunk Driving 

Research has shown that raising the drinking age to 21 has reduced drunk driving accidents and fatalities among young people. This is because individuals under 21 are less likely to drink and drive if they can't legally purchase or possess alcohol.

2. Reduces Binge Drinking 

Binge drinking is a dangerous behavior that is more common among young people. Raising the drinking age to 21 gives fewer minors access to alcohol, which can help reduce binge drinking and its associated health risks.

3. Supports Healthier Decision-Making 

Young people are still developing their decision-making skills and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. By raising the drinking age to 21, the law helps encourage young people to make safer and healthier decisions regarding alcohol consumption and other aspects of their lives.

Overall, the minimum legal drinking age of 21 helps reduce the number of alcohol-related deaths and injuries among young people and contributes to a safer society.

As a seller or server of alcohol, you can also contribute to a safer society by ensuring you aren’t serving minors and staying educated on ID-checking with TIPS Alcohol Safety Training.