Experiences with alcohol are relatively common among young people across cultures. However, the physiological and psychological transformations during adolescence, together with the tendency to take risks and the general inexperience about drinking, make young people especially vulnerable to harm from certain drinking patterns and behaviors. A number of measures are undertaken to limit youthful drinking. Yet, the answer to the question of how best to reduce alcohol-related risks for this group remains at best uncertain; no single strategy has been successful in all settings.

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

Other relevant materials:

• ICAP Issues Briefing (2009): Alcohol Marketing and Young People (in Russian)
• ICAP Issues Briefing (2009): Physical Availability of Beverage Alcohol: Monopolies, Licensing, and Outlet Density
• 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