The Council Recommendation on alcohol consumption by young people, especially children and adolescents (2001/458/EC) makes it clear that children should not be targeted by manufacturers and that regulatory control of retailers should be strengthened. The legal drinking age is 18 in Abu Dhabi (although a Ministry of Tourism regulation allows hotels to serve alcohol only to people over 21) and 21 in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (except Sharjah, where alcohol consumption is prohibited). [113] The most well-known reason for the legal drinking age is the effect on the brain in adolescents. As the brain is still maturing, alcohol can have a negative effect on memory and long-term thinking. In addition, it can cause liver failure and cause hormonal imbalance in adolescents due to the constant changes and maturation of hormones during puberty. [3] Youth are also particularly at risk of injury when drinking alcohol,[4] as they may not have the necessary knowledge about low-risk drinking. In fact, public health researchers found that people`s age to drink the first full serving of alcohol was significantly related to knowledge of low-risk alcohol consumption and beverage counting. Knowledge about low-risk alcohol consumption and frequency of beverage counting increased more sharply with age at first drinking in adolescence than at the end of the period. [5] Alcohol consumption in public places In Poland, it is forbidden to drink alcohol in public places, with the exception of duly authorised designated places such as bars, restaurants, open-air gardens©, etc. Alcohol consumption by minors It is strictly forbidden to sell or offer alcohol to young people under the age of 18. Similarly, the consumption of alcohol by minors is not allowed in authorized bars and restaurants.

In Poland, the legal blood alcohol limit is 20 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood. Driving under the influence of alcohol (between 20 mg and 50 mg) is a criminal offence punishable by a fine. Driving above the 50 mg limit is a serious crime leading to a criminal conviction and possible seizure of the vehicle. Violators face immediate arrest and up to two years in prison. Smoking in public places Although it is not illegal to smoke in many public places in Poland, there are also regulations to protect non-smokers. As more and more Poles prefer a healthy lifestyle, smoking is generally no longer acceptable. The anti-smoking lobby is gaining popularity not only by promoting a healthy lifestyle for smokers, but especially by protecting passive smokers. A national campaign has been launched to declare May 31 “smoke-free day”. Because of these concerns, smoking is now prohibited in many places. However, many of these places may have designated smoking areas.

Therefore, in restaurants, pubs, trains, theaters, colleges, etc., you are only allowed to smoke in these designated areas. It is strictly forbidden to smoke in places marked with special signs (a cigarette with a red line). Schedule of changes regarding the age of alcohol consumption or purchase or laws restricting access to alcohol for minors: Children`s Act Section 78 – No person shall sell, lend, give, deliver, provide or offer liquor to children under 16 years of age unless a written order is issued by the child`s parent or guardian, who is known to that person. The police have a duty to confiscate any alcoholic beverage in the possession of a child under the age of 16 without the written consent of parents or guardians. [38] The following tables present the Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) and related data for 190 independent states recognized by the U.S. Department of State on July 15, 2015. Data are from the World Health Organization`s Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2014 2014, unless otherwise noted. No information on alcohol age was available for Djibouti, Lebanon, Marshall Islands, North Korea or South Sudan, the other five countries listed as independent states by the State Department.

It is technically legal for minors to possess and consume alcohol at home and in public (not on authorized premises), as there is no law prohibiting it. It is also technically legal for someone to buy alcohol and give it to minors outside the store or licensed establishments. [104] AIM – Alcohol in Moderation, “What is the Legal Drinking Age (LDA)?”, www.aim-digest.com, Jan.