The debate of whether the drinking and smoking age in America should be decreased has been going on since the age limit of drinking was increased to 21 in 1984, and has continued since tobacco products also became limited to 21 in 2019.
In many other countries, when someone turns 18, they are granted the same rights as all adults, as they are considered responsible enough to make their own decisions. After all, once they reach that age, they are given all of the same responsibilities as an adult, and therefore, they should receive the same rights.
There are definitely some negative side effects of allowing younger people access to substances like alcohol, marijuana and tobacco, especially when it comes to rates of addiction and reckless acts while under the influence. However, preventing them from having access to them altogether is not the solution to the problem, as shown by the rates of underage drinking and smoking in America.
There is a lot of social pressure to consume substances like alcohol, tobacco and marijuana during early adult years, especially when surrounded by others who are old enough to do such activities. A 19-year-old can work at a full-time job, buy an apartment, get married, vote and have a child, but they can’t go out for a drink with their friends. Despite being seen and treated like an adult, they still cannot do some adult things, which can create a lot of social disconnect between those who are 18-20 and those who are over 21. This disconnect can lead to 18 to 20-year-olds feeling left out and searching for ways to get around the law to fit in.
The truth is, when a young adult is unable to legally acquire substances like drugs and alcohol, they are much more likely to obtain them through other means by buying fake IDs, dealing with shady people and potentially getting something that is unsafe and unregulated. This can not only be dangerous, but it also allows them to learn how to get away with a crime at an early age, which can spiral into even worse things over time.
Limiting the age of drinking and smoking to 21 makes them a sort of “forbidden fruit” to 18 to 20 year olds, which only makes it more desirable and therefore more likely to be used irresponsibly. People can choose not to drink or smoke, but if they are denied the option, they may want to do it just because they can’t. And then, if they can get access to it illegally, they are more likely to overdo it because they want to make the most out of what they can get, which is what leads to so many car accidents and alcohol poisonings.
“The age limit misaligns the ages of 18-20 and 21+, so it’s just going to entice them to use (drugs and alcohol) more in the future. Allowing them to drink at 18 teaches them to drink responsibly. It doesn’t make it a forbidden fruit; when you give them access to it, they don’t want it as much anymore,” said Brody Simmons, a first-year biomedical engineering student.
It’s like when you’re a child and you’re not allowed to drink coffee. Once you reach the age that you can, it’s really exciting and you may go a bit overboard, but you soon learn the consequences of having too much, learn what is a good amount for you, and learn that it’s really not as enticing if you always have access to it. When someone has a proper education and exposure to something, they are far more likely to use it responsibly and know how far they can go, rather than doing something they might regret.
The key to preventing the negative side effects of underage drinking and smoking is not taking away access to it until a certain age, but rather providing more support to young adults, educating them more on the risks of alcohol and drugs, and having harsher consequences for those who commit crimes while under the influence.
“18-year-olds should have access to the same things as 21-year-olds with restrictions,” Simmons said. “Maybe there should be limits on how much they can buy and consume, but at the end of the day, they are adults and the quickest way to learn is if they learn to use it properly.”
Many people don’t like it when they’re given the same responsibilities and expectations as someone who has more rights than them. If you’re going to treat them like an adult, then you should give them all the rights of an adult; otherwise, it’s unfair. The current methods of dealing with the consequences of underage drinking and smoking are not working very well, so perhaps it’s time to try a different method.
