Skip to main content

Lower drinking age?

Image
News Date
Body

Rep. Max Abramson is sponsoring a 2016 bill that would allow some drinking under age 21.

Under current law, a person under age 21 can be charged with a violation if his or her blood alcohol content is .02 or higher.  Abramson’s bill would raise the blood alcohol content to .05.  

That’s the equivalent of a couple of drinks (depending on weight, time between drinks, and other factors). 

The bill states, “It is the intention of the general court that minors between the age of 18 and 20 be permitted to consume only beer or wine while in the presence of responsible adults who are over 21 so that younger people will no longer be initiated to alcohol consumption in the absence of adult supervision.”

Many other states allow some underage drinking with family members or in certain situations. 

Opponents argue that there is a scientific basis for the drinking age.  The brain continues to develop until a person is in his or her twenties, and alcohol can have a negative impact on that development. 

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) also argues that allowing drinking with parental supervision creates a permissive environment that encourages teens to drink without their parents. 

Do you think New Hampshire should allow some drinking under age 21?  Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Comments

Login or register to post comments

Thank you to our sponsors and donors