In this country you are an adult when you turn 18. Your parents aren't responsible for you anymore. Your can buy cigarettes and tobacco. You can join the armed forces to fight and die for your country. But you cannot legally purchase alcohol. Fighting and dying in a war is much more harmful than going to a bar for a drink. In many other countries there is no age limit for alcohol. Combating underage drinking is wasting money and resources that could be better spent elsewhere.



