Get Them Drinking Young!

Posted by Tom Wark on Apr 27, 2006

Is it OK to question the policy that drinking alcohol should be outlawed for anyone under 21 years of age?

Or if you do, are you promoting inappropriate behavior?

You don’t hear many people advocating that the drinking age be lowered from 21. It’s a no win argument that will lead to being painted as irresponsible and uncaring for the well being of America’s youth. But the fact is, a drinking age of 21 is simply ludicrous.

Diageo, one of the largest drinks companies in the world that owns the likes of Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff,
J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu
Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines is touting its desire to prevent underage drinking and keeping adults from providing alcohol to minors. I’m not willing to question their commitment to these goals by suggesting that such a PR initiative is just cover for the fact that it’s often their products that wind up in the hands of minors. But I am willing to question theirs and others nothing that a 19 year old person is incapable of drinking responsibly and ought to be prevented by law from doing so.

In a press release, Diageo states, "Diageo supports a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking and we are
proud to lead the industry by proactively working with lawmakers across the
country to combat underage drinking,"

I’m just dying to know what Diageo thinks of my habit of putting a small taste of wine in front of my 12 year old Boy and letting him taste it as well as try it alongside whatever disaster I’ve cooked up for the family meal? Would they have "zero tolerance" for this attempt to educate my boy in the complimentary character of wine and food and the way by which one can evaluate a wine?

Again from the Diageo press release we learn that Diageo supports the creation of "Administrative Driver’s
License Revocation (ALR) for any adult who knowingly furnishes alcohol to a
person under the legal drinking age."

Now, given the way my car has been functioning of late I’m inclined to dump the vehicle on the capital steps and just give it to them. But does Diageo support the revocation of my drivers license if I put a small glass of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir in front of him and ask him what he tastes and feels on his tongue?

It has become a cliche to point out that 18 year old’s can die in the service of their country,that they can take on the responsibility of voting for elected officials and that they can stand trial as an adult. Yet somehow, they are deemed incapable of lifting a mug of lager or a glass of wine with responsibility. This cliche ought to be very convincing to anyone, or any large drinks company, that believes respect is something that 18 year old’s deserve.

Those of us who keep alcohol in their lives and enjoy it, have a responsibility to introduce this category of drink to young people at an early age precisely because it’s the responsible thing to do. Today we are printing "WET PAINT..DON’T TOUCH" on alcohol. And we all know what happens when a sign like that is held up in front of a younger person. Teach them that too much alcohol impairs them. Teach them that alcohol is for drinking, not chugging. Teach them the great traditions that surround the consumption of alcohol. Teach them.