Minimum Drinking Age

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About 178,000 deaths occur in the United States every year from alcohol use. NIAAA. This fact makes alcohol misuse one of the most common preventable deaths in the United States. Because it is so preventable, the minimum drinking age should be 25 years old. Drinking results in a greater risk for physical and mental health, drunk driving is a massive issue in America, and people at the age of 21 have more important things that should be prioritized over the use of alcohol.

Great risks to your health present themselves with drinking, and these risks only get more severe the earlier you start. Many diseases and conditions stem from and can be caused by alcohol use. These conditions can gravely affect your health. Heart disease is the leading …show more content…
Making the age older would hurt bars and alcohol-producing companies as younger people are one of the main demographics that they profit from. It is quite typical for young adults to go out to the bar, and according to the National Information Clearing House, “consumers in the age group of 21-34 comprise about 31.1% of industry revenue, making up the prime demographic” (SBDC). Taking away a third of the industry’s way of making a living will surely hurt many people. There are 208,622 people as of 2023 who work in the alcohol business, and a change like this will surely impact their lives in poor ways. However, people in that age range have many more things of importance to their lives to focus on, doing, or spending money on. Adults in college and young adults have to pay for tuition fees, housing, saving money for the future, and other necessary purchases. “On average, students (in college) spend $42 a month on alcohol. binge drinkers may spend $96 or more a month on alcohol” (Education Data Initiative). Picture how many things a person in college could save, avid drinker or not, if they cut out alcohol from their purchases. They would be saving more money for the impactful things they are focussing on at that point in their lives. Alcohol use can also deter and prevent you from achieving your goals in life. Drinking might become such a massive issue that it can stop students from attending classes. “An estimated one in every four college students admitted to having poor grades or other academic problems because of their drinking behavior” (Alcohol Rehab
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