Experiences with alcohol are common among young people across cultures. However, the physiological and psychological transformations during adolescence, together with the tendency to take risks and general experience with drinking, may place young people at increased risk for harm.

Much attention is devoted to addressing young people’s drinking, including where to set appropriate legal purchase and drinking age limits and effective strategies for prevention.  Many individual and societal factors play a role in shaping young people’s drinking. As a result, optimal interventions are also likely to include a mix of approaches.

• Key Facts and Issues
• Policy Table: Minimum Age Limits Worldwide  (in Russian)
• Key References

Other relevant materials:

• ICAP Book (2010): Expressions of Drunkenness (Four Hundred Rabbits)
• ICAP Issues Briefing (2012): Alcohol Marketing and Young People (in French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish)
• ICAP Issues Briefing (2012): Physical Availability of Beverage Alcohol: Monopolies, Licensing, and Outlet Density (in Spanish)
• ICAP Book (2008): Swimming with Crocodiles: The Culture of Extreme Drinking
• ICAP Papers for WHO Consultation (2008)
• ICAP Blue Book Module: Young People and Alcohol
• ICAP Blue Book Module: Legal Age Limits (in Russian)
• ICAP Blue Book: Examples of Targeted Interventions
• ICAP Monograph (2004): What Drives Underage Drinking?
• ICAP Report 16 (2004): Alcohol Education and Its Effectiveness
• ICAP Symposium on Young People’s Drinking (2004, Kobe, Japan)
• ICAP Book (2001): Learning about Drinking
• Learning about Drinking Letters