the National Minimum Drinking Age Act

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 is a U.S. law that encourages states to raise the legal drinking age to 21 by withholding federal funds from those that don’t comply. While it doesn’t directly make it illegal to sell or buy alcohol at younger ages, it effectively influences states to set the minimum drinking age at 21. The law aims to reduce alcohol-related accidents and injuries among young people by establishing a consistent national standard.