The sale of alcoholic beverages to minors is not only punishable by law but is also extremely harmful to the health of young people who consume it. The consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21 years is related to injury and risky behavior. Teenagers who drink alcohol are also at risk of suffering a long list of injuries and possible lifetime alcoholism.
Research on this subject indicate that the human brain continues to develop until approximately early twenties and a developing brain exposed to alcohol may suffer lasting effects on intellectual capabilities and may increase the chances of alcohol addiction. Every year approximately 5,000 children and young people under 21 years as a result of alcohol under the legal age allowed – due to vehicular accidents, homicides and suicides. Dangers associated with alcohol consumption of adolescents age of first use of alcohol affects of alcohol problems that appear later in adulthood.
For each year that will delay the onset of alcohol consumption is reduced by 14 percent the risk of later alcohol dependence.
