There are countries like the United States where entry is from the age of 21, because it is also at that age where they are allowed to drink alcoholic beverages.
What the regulations say in Mendoza
The national law 26,370 on access controlhighlights in its article 11:
“Control personnel may prevent admission and stay in entertainment venues in the following cases: h) When they are under eighteen (18) years of age, when that age is mandatory according to law.” “Control personnel may prevent admission and stay in entertainment venues in the following cases: h) When they are under eighteen (18) years of age, when that age is mandatory according to law.”
For its part, law 8296 (sanctioned in 2011) and its modification under law 8985establish the creation of the Subdirectorate of Control of Events and Recreational Premises, a space that currently operates under the orbit of the Ministry of Security and Justice.
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Night fun in General Alvear.
The same points out that it is prohibited:
- Entry of minors under eighteen (18) years of age alone or accompanied, except for authorized venues and/or events such as M17, matinées or events with express permission to enter them (Art. 13).
- The entry, sale, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in places and/or premises where student celebration events take place, whatever their nature, where minors under eighteen (18) years of age enter (Art. 14).
Specifically, Mendoza regulations establish harsh punitive sanctions that range from financial fines to days in jail and the closure of the premises for 90 days.
“Those that in any way stimulate or promote consumption excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages in dance venues and entertainment centers and/or allow minors to enter prohibited premises or events They will be punished with arrest of up to 15 days or fines from 2,778 fixed units (UF) to 13,889 UF depending on the severity of the fault and the accessory temporary closure of the premises for up to 90 days”, highlights article 63 ter.
Fine for parents of minors
For its part, something new that the legislation of the province of Mendoza maintains is the fine, arrest or carrying out social work for the parents of minors.
“The parents or legal representatives of the minors who enterattend or remain in a place or event whose access is prohibited under the terms of current legislation, when a lack of vigilance or care is demonstrated, will be punished with a fine from 556 UF to 1,667 UF or its equivalent in the effective fulfillment of social tasks“, indicates the same article.
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Photo: Cristian Lozano
In case of recidivism they will be punished with arrest of up to 10 days and fine from 1,667 fixed units to 2,778 UF, without the possibility of redeeming or completing it through the fulfillment of social tasks, without prejudice to their civil liability.
How to control minors’ alcohol consumption
Faced with this context, the province of Mendoza should modify its extensive legislation to move forward with a change in the age of entry to nightclubs. At the same time, one should also consider How will it be controlled so that minors do not have access to alcohol sales? inside the premises nor are they exposed to episodes of nudity or striptease.
For its part, provincial decree 1735/17 The differentiation of parties for those over 18 years of age stands out, compared to those for minors: M-17 and matinée. The latter are enabled in the province because the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, nudity, semi-nudity, and/or striptease shows are prohibited there.
In general terms, the prohibition of minors entering clubs is due to a need to care for their psychophysical integrity. In fact, in other countries around the world, entry to nightclubs is associated with the minimum drinking age.
One by one: the minimum drinking age in the world
- United States: the minimum age is 21 years.
- Canada: varies in each State, from 18 to 19 years old.
- Brazil: the minimum age is 18 years.
- Mexico: the minimum age is 18 years.
- Paraguay: the minimum age is 21 years.
- Spain: the minimum age is 18 years.
- Italy: the minimum age is 18 years.
- Japan: the minimum age is 20 years.
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The presence of alcohol was a constant at many private parties in which students participated to celebrate the Last First Day.
About Night Fun in the province of Mendoza
In 1996, the Provincial Program for the Prevention of Risks Linked to Night Fun was created.in order to provide adequate safety conditions prioritizing preventive aspects, dependent on the Ministry of Health.
A few years later, In April 2011, Law 8296 was passed.within the orbit of the Ministry of Human Development, Family and Community and the subdirectorate of Control of Events and Recreational Venues was created.
On June 13, 2017, a series of modifications to Law 8296 were approved where the transition from the subdirectorate dependent on the Ministry of Health, Social Development and Sports to the Ministry of Security was established.
