The Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons Under Eighteen) Act 1923 introduced the principle that people should be aged 18 to drink alcohol in bars and pubs. Before this, a person had to be 14 years old to buy and drink beer, or 16 years old to buy spirits. It was introduced by Nancy Astor MP, a great advocate of temperance and of measures to protect children and young people. Called ‘Lady Astor’s Bill’ during its Parliamentary passage, it was the first private members’ bill from a female MP to be passed and become law. The principle established by this legal landmark lives on to this day.
The full version of this landmark is written by Mari Takayanagi