Epidemiology of binge drinking
Concerns over binge drinking by teenagers has led to a review of liquor advertising being announced by the New Zealand government in January 2006. The review considered regulation of sport sponsorship by liquor companies, which at present is commonplace. Previously the drinking age in New Zealand was 20, then dropped to 18 in 1999.
Challenge 21
Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 are part of a scheme in the United Kingdom, introduced by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), with the intention of preventing young people gaining access to age restricted products including cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. Under the scheme, customers attempting to buy age-restricted products are asked to prove their age if in the retailer's opinion they look under 21 or 25, even though the minimum age to buy alcohol and cigarettes in the UK is 18.