Page 1 of Under-age drinking at home - legalities?

I admit I may be wrong but I always thought it was perfectly legal for a young person under the age of 18 to consume alcohol in their own home.

I`ve `Asked Jeeves` but all I seem come up with is legal ages in pubs. I even had it in my mind that it`s ok for children as young as 5 to have wine with a meal.

The reason I`m trying to find out is that my new husband (Canadian) thinks it`s unreasonable that my 17 year old daughter is `breaking the law` when we hold a party and her and her friends drink these `alcopops` and usually it`s new years eve and her friends` parents (our neighbours) are at the party too.

Any help on this one?

Jill

All I can find so far

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4390000/newsid_4391200/4391209.stm

In Canada I thought it was joke I had to walk 4 blocks to get some beer when I had a corner shop outside the hotel and a small market store 1 block away

This item was edited on Saturday, 4th February 2006, 09:46

I first discovered lager at the age of 13, at my cousins wedding & was encouraged to do so through the course of the reception by all 3 of them. At first they ordered the beer up for me, very shortly however the barmen would just pour for me when I was at the bar.

The reception was in a public hall, not a residence.

I had a few scornfull looks & comments of "disgusting" & "you shouldn`t be drinking that" from the Devon aunts & uncles, who without a hint of irony carried on pouring sherry down my sisters throat & who repaid them by being sick in their vicinity. :D

The legal age to consume booze is 2,1 I think in most if not all provinces & I was initially surprised when Canadian friends of ours seriously "overreacted" IMO about their 17.5 year old son & his mate cracking a couple of tinnies in the house while they were away.

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In Canada I thought it was joke I had to walk 4 blocks to get some beer when I had a corner shop outside the hotel and a small market store 1 block away.

Once I find a LCBO or Beer Shop I stock up my hotel room with a few tins, just in case the hotel bar shuts up early (especially Sundays). I was unable to get a beer (apart from one while waiting for THO in the hotel bar in the early evening, that knocks my 21st birthday* as the least beer consumed on my birthday last year off the top spot.

Getting beer is much easier in the US fortunately.

*Surprise party thrown for me by my friends, who didn`t think to actually get me any lager in to drink & everybody else was on real ale, cider or spirits.


My job got a lot less stressfull when I realised I hate my customers.

This item was edited on Sunday, 5th February 2006, 10:11

I was drinking at home when i was 8 - only wine with lemonade or something, but booze nonetheless. I thought the law was over 5 too. That said, IMHO a seven year old having a small glass of buck fizz at a home party which is predominantly adults is ok, but having a room full of 17 year olds drinking alchopops with a `token` adult is wrong, as it is more likely to cause trouble :/



The Bigman Cometh

Check with all the parents and see what they think?

--

www.soundalikes.com/

i think you will find in your own home there is no minimum age, however i believe it is illegal to give a child under 5 years alcohol, unless for a medical reason?

i stand to be corrected though if somebody knows better...



`I am going to live forever, or die trying`...

Thankyou for all your replies, especially from our resident `Bobby`. I won`t be stopping her having the odd `pop` or two. There`s only 3 months until she`s 18 anyway.

My husband just wants to mention that in Canada the age for purchasing is 19 rather than 21 as is in USA and from what he`s saying, it`s illegal to even consume alcohol underage let alone buy it.

Thanks again,
Jill

I don`t know which im more worried about:

The fact you allow your daughter to break the law in your home:
The fact you ask us for level-headed advice:

or, possibly worst of all...

The fact you married a Canadian...

;)

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The fact you allow your daughter to break the law in your home:

But shes not though.
Quote:

Kids over the age of five can drink at home, but aren`t allowed to buy alcohol.

When you`re 16, you can drink beer, cider or perry with a meal in a restaurant - but only if it`s bought for you.


My job got a lot less stressfull when I realised I hate my customers.

yeh, it was a little joke there. nowt to get worried about.

ps youre not canadian too?