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What are the cons of lowering the legal drinking age?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Medically, is there a big difference between drinking alcohol by an 18 year old and a 21 year old? Some proponents of lowering the legal drinking age believe it will combat the rising problem of binge drinking on college campuses. From a medical perspective, what are the cons of lowering the legal drinking age to 18?

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr.Muhammad Majid Hanif is a highly skilled and established physician in the field of Cardiology. He listens to all the patient queries deliberately and is an expert in devising a proper treatment plan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. If we keep the legal age for when one is allowed to drink alcohol, there will be lesser damages to the brain development of young aged people. Alcohol destroys the liver and if we keep a low legal age that allows drinking, definitely more and more alcoholic hepatitis patients will appear in the population. Decreasing the legal age for drinking will have devastating effects on the health of the mass.

Answered by
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At February 29, 2016
Reviewed At June 15, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr.Muhammad Majid Hanif is a highly skilled and established physician in the field of Cardiology. He listens to all the patient queries deliberately and is an expert in devising a proper treatment plan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Companion

Young Adult Alcohol Health Effects and Drinking Age Policy Companion

How it works

The legal drinking age is a topic with significant medical implications, especially concerning the health of young adults. Here's a breakdown of the key medical concerns related to lowering the legal drinking age.

1

Brain
Development

2

Liver
Damage

3

Drinking
Patterns

4

Early
Alcohol

5

Societal
Impact

6

Medical
Limits

This information is based on general medical guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice; consult a qualified clinician.

Always consult a doctor before taking medication; self-medication carries serious health risks. Take exact prescribed doses, and never start, change, or stop treatment without medical supervision.

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Cardiology

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr.Muhammad Majid Hanif is a highly skilled and established physician in the field of Cardiology. He listens to all the patient queries deliberately and is an expert in devising a proper treatment plan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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