Vt. Committee Approves Study of Lower Drinking Age

Vt. Committee Approves Study of Lower Drinking Age
March 28, 2008

News Summary

State liquor officials call it a waste of time, but a Vermont Senate committee has approved legislation that would establish a task force to study the possibility of lowering the state's legal drinking age from 21 to 18, U-Wire reported March 28.

Under the measure introduced by Sen. Hinda Miller, the five-member panel would look at underage and binge drinking in the context of the legal drinking age. If Vermont did eventually lower its drinking age, the state would face the loss of about $17 million in federal highway funds unless Congress grants a waiver to the penalty, which was imposed in the 1980s to compel states to adopt age-21 drinking laws.

William Goggins, director of education and enforcement for the state Liquor Control Board, opposes both Miller's bill and lowering the state's drinking age. "I think it's irresponsible and a waste of valuable time," he said.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Gregg Benson, MA, LCADC on 31 Mar 08 09:01 AM EDT

Any consideration of lowereing the drinking age to 18 demonstrates the egregious level of ignorance that continues to permeate the psyche of our lawmakers and general public. The science is clear that the executive functions of our brains (pre-fontal cortex) are not fully developed until the age of 25! The logic that by lowering the drinking age to 18 to reduce by 3 years the number of underage drinkers is flawed from the outset and doesn't change the science. I have always hoped we were smarter than this and capable of actually using what we know!

Posted by momof2kids on 31 Mar 08 09:38 AM EDT

OK, so if the pre-fontal cortex isn't fully developed until age 25, then why is it OK to have the drinking age be 21? Do you not think that by lowering the age it will take the thrill away? Also, it's OK to get married, buy a car, go to war and make decisions on the battlefield that could change the course of history, but an 18 year old isn't mature enough to decide if they want a beer or not? Kids are in college at the age of 18, out of their parent's houses, probably working as well as taking college courses. I would think that all of this demonstrates that our country thinks 18 year olds are capable of taking on these responsibilities, but not be able to step into a bar and order a drink?

Posted by Gerrit on 31 Mar 08 10:30 AM EDT

Maybe its time to broaden the field of inquiry on this subject. What do we know about the effects of under-21 decision-making about marriage, contracting, independent living, judgment in military (vs. civilian) judgments,etc? While we're at why not actually define "responsible decisionmaking" with regard to alcohol for a change, i.e. responsible to whom and for what?

Posted by Anonymous on 31 Mar 08 11:45 AM EDT

True, the decisions of some under-21 adults can be questionable at times, but I question the decisions of those running our country and they supposedly have degrees and are definitely over 21! I say it's all or none; if our government thinks it's OK to have these kids in adult roles such as in marriage or the battlefield, then treat them as adults in all areas. These kids are going to get alcohol somehow and when they are in college with kids over 21, where do you suppose they get it? As for "responsible decision making" this should go for all areas of a person's life, not just alcohol. Parents need to buck up and guide their children in what is right and wrong, and provide the appropriate punishments so a kid can understand that there are consequences for misguided actions.

Posted by Adreeene on 31 Mar 08 12:13 PM EDT

I cannot believe how many people are still making the argument that because kids are legally considered adults at age 18 that it means they should be able to drink, THEY SHOULD NOT. The studies on the brain aren't just something that the prevention field made up to try and get kids not to drink, it is actual science. Now that we know the brain is still developing into the 20s maybe we should reconsider at what age we call people adults but we definitely should NOT reconsider the age at which it is legal to drink. BAD IDEA VERMONT!

Posted by Ed on 14 Apr 08 04:14 PM EDT

Adreene, alcohol abuse can harm your brain no matter what age. But that doesn't mean denying altogether any adults who want to drink moderately.

Posted by Michael Ricardson VT on 08 Sep 08 04:29 AM EDT

Lowering the drinking age to 18 is the best idea that has hit Vermont in ages. Just because the drinking age is 21, it does not stop kids from drinking, it just prevents them from actually purchasing it. Yes there are some studies, but kids are kids and are going to do what they want. Who knows maybe its about time to incorporate drinking at a younger age. Face it, it would cut back on the binge drinking factor noticed amoung many young teens today.

Posted by trevor on 20 Sep 08 10:42 PM EDT

although i am a kid i do think that if 18 year olds have the ability to make there own choices that could very well change our future then i think that they should be able to drink in there own home. by lowering the age limit there will also not be as many 21yr olds binge drinking or bar hopping till they pass out. i am a 15 year old kid and i do intend on drinking in the future. yes i can very well get into truble with the law but when i turn 21 i will not be a binge drinker or go barhopping till i pass out.

Posted by Ethan C. on 21 Jan 09 02:23 PM EST

I have heard many people say that 18 year olds arent mature enough to make there own decisions. I ocassionally drink so i know about this. I have seen friends get in trouble because of having to sneek around to get booze. The same friends that were allowed to sign up to go out and serve our country. So if you think it is right that you can kill for your country then why not be able to drink.

Posted by Hans on 26 May 09 09:58 AM EDT

If we changed the law to only allow drinking after age 50, it would cut down on traffic deaths. I also think if we take away children's play grounds we won't have to worry about the horrific amount of play ground accidents that children have. Ban swimming and no more drownings too. There should be a law old people must either walk slowly or use wheel chairs since there are so many falls and broken hips.

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