Bill could lower drinking age to 18 in NH

CONCORD, NH — Damion Marston is 18 years old, which means he can't legally drink alcohol. But if a proposal in the New Hampshire House passes, under certain circumstances, he could.

"I feel like you're too young at 18 to drink 'cause, like, you still do stupid stuff. You're not fully aware of what you're doing," Marston said.

House bill number 1606, filed by a Seabrook state representative would allow alcohol use for those aged 18 to 20, with the intent that "younger people will no longer be initiated to alcohol consumption in the absence of adult supervision."

Adult supervision, as defined by the bill, is a responsible 21-year-old.

NH resident Ryan Clarke said, "I think if they set that age a little big higher it might be a good thing. But 21, I don't think that would be a good age to set that at."

Under the proposal, the 18 to 20-year-olds would not have unlimited access to alcohol. For one thing, they could only consume beer and wine.

Plus, the bill makes no apparent provision for the age group to purchase or possess alcohol.

The drinking age in the Granite State was lowered to 18 in the 1970's, but bumped back to 21 about 30 years ago, along with every other state.

Cox Media Group