What does the law say about under age drinking?
Young people under the age of 18 are not permitted to buy or consume alcohol in public. If you buy alcohol or are given it on licensed premises both you and the person selling or giving you the alcohol commit an offence. [Liquor Licensing Act 1997 ss 110, 114 & 117] There are also laws about different sorts of licensed premises, e.g. some hotels have a late night permit. That means that you are not allowed in such places after midnight. You are not allowed to be in an entertainment venue after 9 pm. Licensees of such premises must display the sort of license they have, near the front entrance and have signs stating the minimum age at which alcohol can be consumed. You may need to give your name and proof of age as you can be removed from licensed premises by an authorised person if you are under age. If you give false information, or do not reply, you are guilty of an offence.
