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Is Mexico Going To Raise The Drinking Age To 21?

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Is Mexico Going To Raise The Drinking Age To 21?

Is Mexico Going To Raise The Drinking Age To 21?

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Mexican Health Ministry is backing an initiative to raise the legal drinking age in Mexico to 21 from 18.

Health officials announced their support after a new study was released that shows nearly 12 percent of Mexicans suffer from alcoholism. The fastest growing population? Young women.

The Mexican Congress would have to approve the plan.

Local health officials in Nogales, Mexico are firmly behind it. They do note however that raising the drinking age will have an impact on 18-to-20 year old American teens who travel down to the U.S.-Mexico border to drink legally. Many bars and restaurants along the border rely on these young adults for business.

Fronteras Desk senior editor Michel Marizco is an award-winning investigative reporter based in Flagstaff.