South Carolina to change the drinking age to 18?

Hmmm....Maybe so.

South Carolina's legal drinking age could return to 18 for the first time in more than 25 years if two recent court rulings in Richland and Aiken counties are upheld on appeal.

Longtime Richland County Magistrate Mel Maurer on July 15 ruled that the state law prohibiting youths ages 18 through 20 from possessing or consuming liquor was unconstitutional. The current legal drinking age is 21.

On July 23, Aiken County Chief Magistrate Rodger Edmonds ruled that law and a similar law involving the possession and consumption of beer and wine in the 18-20 age group were unconstitutional.

in most countries, the drinking age is at least as low as 18.quiglythegreat

How bout Kansas? I'd rather wait 2 years to legally drink than 5 years :/

I can go get shot and shoot other people in war but I'm not allowed to drink? Makes absolutely 0 sense.

[QUOTE="Dark_Knight6"]

It should be eighteen. I truly don't understand why you cannot legally drink at eighteen but can smoke cigarettes.

Theokhoth

Cigarettes don't impair your perception.

There is no problem with this. A lot of the (underage) binge drinking that's being done is to look "daring, cool, and rebellious." If it were lowered, a lot of this would disappear. Would it eliminate underage drinking? No, but it would make it less appealing for rebellious suburban teens. Eighteen is not too young of an age to understand the consequences of getting drunk or drinking in general. Plus, one light alcoholic beverage every once in awhile has proven to be healthy (although I'm not sure how healthy many of the horrible American beers are since they're all layered with chemicals :P).

Bad idea. Young Americans and alcohol don't mix well half the time. But hey whatever floats they're boats...

[QUOTE="cyberdarkkid"]Beer is nasty IMO.Dark_Knight6

I agree. I was at a graduation party yesterday and I got offered beer by some relatives (being seventeen, my parents don't mind me having one). So I decided to take a sip of Corona. Needless to say, I spit most of it back out. :P

Blasphemers! There's nothing better on a hot summers day than a nice frosty beer!

Anyways, I think it's a good move. If the drinking age is lower, alcohol is less of a novelty. If alochol isn't a novelty, I think that it's less likely to be abused.

It's not uncommon to see 10 years olds having a small glass of watered down wine in Italy, or Greece, or Spain, etc. This teaches them how to drink in moderation, and gives their parents many oppurtunities to educate their children. These children are less likely to grow up and drink heavily.

[QUOTE="Toriko42"][QUOTE="Dark_Knight6"]

And? It'll still impair judgment at 21. :? What difference does three years make?

Travo_basic

Blasphemers! There's nothing better on a hot summers day than a nice frosty beer!

Anyways, I think it's a good move. If the drinking age is lower, alcohol is less of a novelty. If alochol isn't a novelty, I think that it's less likely to be abused.

It's not uncommon to see 10 years olds having a small glass of watered down wine in Italy, or Greece, or Spain, etc. This teaches them how to drink in moderation, and gives their parents many oppurtunities to educate their children. These children are less likely to grow up and drink heavily.

FlyingArmbar

But it tasted like water and cigarette ashes! :o

I had a German exchange student at school last year. They're allowed to drink at sixteen there and he essentially said the same thing.

Bad idea, IMO. The drinking age should be as high as possible.

I'm sorry; which article or amendment in the Constitution guarantees the right to drink alcohol?

Theokhoth

Great idea, though 18 for a beer is still too high in my opinion. I think the drinking age of 21 is preposterous.MrPraline

Why not. Old enough to be sent to a foreign country with guns, and grenades. Should be old enough to drink.

FlyingArmbar

do not bring that up

[QUOTE="FlyingArmbar"]

Why not. Old enough to be sent to a foreign country with guns, and grenades. Should be old enough to drink.

resevl4rlz

do not bring that up

Hm, compelling argument you've got there. :?

[QUOTE="resevl4rlz"]

[QUOTE="FlyingArmbar"]

Why not. Old enough to be sent to a foreign country with guns, and grenades. Should be old enough to drink.

Dark_Knight6

do not bring that up

Hm, compelling argument you've got there. :?

why is compelling because i said dont bring that stupid comment up. I can go to war at age 18 but i cant drink

people need to know these laws were MADE FOR A REASON

At age 18, most people are reasonable and mature enough to know what's stupid and what isn't so it's probably alright.

flordeceres

why is compelling because i said dont bring that stupid comment up. I can go to war at age 18 but i cant drink

people need to know these laws were MADE FOR A REASON

resevl4rlz

Um, what? I honestly can't understand what you're saying or the point you're trying to make. :?

[QUOTE="MrPraline"]Great idea, though 18 for a beer is still too high in my opinion. I think the drinking age of 21 is preposterous.MoonMarvel

[QUOTE="resevl4rlz"]

why is compelling because i said dont bring that stupid comment up. I can go to war at age 18 but i cant drink

people need to know these laws were MADE FOR A REASON

Dark_Knight6

Um, what? I honestly can't understand what you're saying or the point you're trying to make. :?

there should be no age limit.

I cant believe that if i went to america, I wouldnt be legal for a beer.

[QUOTE="mrbojangles25"]

there should be no age limit.

MoonMarvel

I'm sorry; which article or amendment in the Constitution guarantees the right to drink alcohol?

Theokhoth

[QUOTE="Wolls"][QUOTE="perphekt"]Damnit, i meant to vote no. No, not a good idea. Then again i'm already 21 so it doesn't matter to me which age they put it at anymore, also i'm in a different state. HOWEVER, 18 year olds are not mature enough, not all but some, to handle that... most 18 year olds are immature and think that they are invincible. Legalizing drinking at that age would be simply dumb. The death toll would rise, muy mucho.Theokhoth

Only if you don't mind risking getting into huge trouble, which a lot of people do.

[QUOTE="Toriko42"][QUOTE="MoonMarvel"] Let me give a beer to my 10 year old nephew...WOOT!MoonMarvel

Most people drink before the age of 18 already. I don't see the harm in lowering the drinking age.

Young Americans and alcohol don't mix well half the time.soulless4now

I thought the legal age to drink was a federal law?:?NintendoLover00

[QUOTE="mrbojangles25"]

there should be no age limit.

MoonMarvel

no, not a whole beer. But how about a small glass of watered down wine? Or what about the last couple ounces of beer in a bottle? That is what my family has done and now I have a great appreciation for alcohol. Sure, I like to party and maybe get a little drunk a couple times a month, but its tought me a lot about drinking responsibily. I am a brewer by profession. I preach what I practice as well, and serve my product to discriminating customers, and limit what I give to people looking for a quick buzz. Yes, I am a beer snob...but I feel alcohol is something to be appreciated and enjoyed, like a nice loaded gun. Just be careful, treat it and yourself right, and you can have a good time.

And you forget a few things:

1. Children that young hate alcohol most of the time.
2. Children that young get headaches, sick, or fall asleep after a small amount of booze
3. Children in high school (young "adults) or below 21 get alcohol anyway.

So, again...I say there should be no limit. But if there must be one, I suppose 18 is as good as any. You can buy cigarettes and porn at 18, why not include poor ol' innocent alcohol in there too.

Well, I'm all for States exercising their right to control their own laws. I think alcohol age is a statewide decision and wish more states would decide on it :p

Always found it strange that you could die for your country, but are not able to legally have a beer.

Fandangle

[QUOTE="Fandangle"]

Always found it strange that you could die for your country, but are not able to legally have a beer.

Droymac

Lots of people under 21 still drink.

i live in south carolina, how did i miss this. maybe cause im 27 so i dont care. i do agree though. cigarettes, voting, and the right to die for your country are okay at 18, so why not drinking. if i was being sent off to war, i might like a buzz on me to take the edge off. though i quit drinking half a year ago so it doesnt bother me either way

[QUOTE="Travo_basic"][QUOTE="Toriko42"] Anyone who smokes cigarettes already has impaired judgement, even I'll admit that and I do (just not often) :lol:Toriko42

I'm sorry but any state but them, they already can't drive... Jk folks juuust kiidding.