Public drinking

Social customs and laws on drinking alcohol in public vary significantly around the world. 'Public' in this context refers to outdoor spaces such as roads, walkways or parks, or in a moving vehicle. Drinking in bars, restaurants or stadiums, for example, is not generally considered to be 'in public' even though those establishments are open to the general public. In some countries, such as India and in larger regions, such as the Muslim world, public drinking is almost universally condemned or outlawed, while in other countries, such as Portugal, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan and China, public drinking and public intoxication is socially acceptable, although may not be entirely legal. Social customs and laws on drinking alcohol in public vary significantly around the world. 'Public' in this context refers to outdoor spaces such as roads, walkways or parks, or in a moving vehicle. Drinking in bars, restaurants or stadiums, for example, is not generally considered to be 'in public' even though those establishments are open to the general public. In some countries, such as India and in larger regions, such as the Muslim world, public drinking is almost universally condemned or outlawed, while in other countries, such as Portugal, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan and China, public drinking and public intoxication is socially acceptable, although may not be entirely legal. Opponents of drinking in public (such as religious organizations or governmental agencies) argue that it encourages overconsumption of alcohol and binge drinking, rowdiness and violence, and propose that people should instead drink at private businesses such as public houses, bars or clubs, where a bartender may prevent overconsumption and where rowdiness can be better controlled by the fact that one is sitting down and security or bouncers may be present. Alternatively, adults may drink at home. Opponents of normalizing the public consumption of alcohol are also concerned about the risks associated with public inebriation such as broken bottles on the street and aggressive behavior while intoxicated. Proponents of the right to drink in public argue that it does not itself cause problems and rather that it is social problems that cause over-consumption and violence, pointing to countries that allow drinking in public but have low levels of associated overconsumption and violence. Proponents further argue that drinking in public helps normalize attitudes towards drinking and build a healthier drinking culture. Although details and penalties vary from state to state, drinking in public places directly outside licensed premises (and also in council-designated no alcohol zones) is illegal. Generally, possession of an open container of alcohol is sufficient proof of public drinking. In New South Wales, drinking in public is legal unless an area is declared to be an alcohol-free zone. In New South Wales, council rangers and authorised staff are allowed to use their discretion to confiscate and tip-out open containers in public streets in officially designated alcohol free zones within their own council boundaries; but not arrest nor issue fines/infringements for this purpose, leading many to turn a 'blind eye' to these infractions to avoid conflict and fights. In Austria, the possession and consumption of open containers of alcohol is legal all throughout the country by people of the legal drinking age. In Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland the legal drinking age starts with 16 years. In the other states the legal drinking age depends on the beverage in question: 16 for beer and wine and 18 for distilled spirits and mixed drinks. In Carinthia teenagers between 16 and 18 are further restricted to a blood alcohol level below 0.05. Some cities, like Graz in Styria or Klagenfurt in Carinthia, limit public consumption of alcohol in specific areas. Having an open container is legal in Brazil. Drinking publicly is legal and socially accepted. However DUI laws have been enforced for the past 10 years and offenders may be arrested and lose their license. Being intoxicated in public is not an offense, and unless people were disturbed, the individual can't be arrested. However it's common practice law officers conduct intoxicated individuals to a police station or take them home to avoid any further problem caused by the individual. In Canada, with the exception of Quebec, possession of open containers of alcohol in public is generally a violation of provincial acts and municipal bylaws. Open liquor is not permitted except in private residences or on licensed premises. Open liquor is also illegal in parts of national and provincial parks, though this prohibition may not apply to campsites, as it is a temporary residence. For instance, Ontario Provincial Parks allow alcohol on campsites only.