Legal Reforms For The Consumption Of Alcohol Regarding Minors in the Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there are few important legal consequences for Minors who are caught drinking alcohol or involved in the illegal selling and buying of alcohol. Minors can also be arrested and punished if they are found in trade or the activities, banned by UAE Government. The UAE has recently implemented legal reforms regarding Alcohol Laws UAE, allowing its consumption within certain guidelines to Non-Muslims only.

However, these reforms still impose penalties for underage drinking even for Non-Muslims. Besides, it is also applied to the unauthorized sale of alcoholic beverages. The permitted sale/trade of Alcohols, is only allowed within certain rules and laws.

However, underage drinking and the unauthorized sale of alcohol to Minors remain serious offenses. The UAE government aims to enforce these regulations. The basic motive behind the reforms is to ensure the protection and well-being of young individuals in the country.

Under the UAE Penal Code, a minor is defined as a person below the age of twenty-one (21). It is considered a punishable offense to sell alcoholic beverages to a minor. The penalties for such actions are outlined in Article 363 of the UAE Penal Code. If a person offers or sells alcohol to an individual under the age of twenty-one (21), incites them to drink, or purchases alcohol to provide it to a minor, they may face imprisonment.

Imprisonment can be for a total period of 1 year. Moreover, it may lead to a fine of up to AED one hundred thousand (100,000), or either of these penalties. However, if the person offering or selling alcohol verifies the recipient’s age to be twenty-one or above, based on official documentation such as a passport, no crime is committed. Lawyers in UAE, can deliver a better and updated idea/solution.

It is crucial to understand that the UAE has implemented reforms allowing the consumption of alcohol within certain regulations in recent years. Before the recent legal reforms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), consuming alcohol without a valid permit was considered illegal.

Henceforth, violating these rules could result in a penalty. This could lead to up to six months. However, with the new changes introduced by Federal Decree By-Law. This was introduced in 2020 and subsequently by Federal Decree-Law in 2021.

The consumption of alcohol has been legalized in the UAE, subject to few restrictions. rules apply as:

• In the UAE alcohol consumption is no longer a criminal offense. The law has permitted the consumption of alcohol under the law. But the Law is only for Non-Muslims.
• No Longer Requirement to hold a valid alcohol license.
• Age is set at Twenty-One (21) years.

Alcohol cannot be consumed in public places that are not licensed to sell alcohol. However, it is permitted to consume alcohol in private places as well as licensed restaurants and bars. When it comes to alcohol consumption by minors, a minor is defined as a person below the age of twenty-one (21). It is considered a punishable offense for anyone to sell alcoholic beverages to a minor. Article 363 of the UAE Penal Code states the following:

No punishment shall be imposed for drinking, possessing, or trading alcohol in cases and locations permitted according to applicable legislation. Each Emirate has the authority to regulate the use, circulation, trading, and possession of alcoholic beverages. They regulate the violation of the licensing terms or unauthorized locations. This may lead to a jail sentence and a fine. The fee can be up to AED Five Hundred Thousand (500,000nAED), or either of these penalties.

Additionally, those who are found intoxicated in a public place, or who cause trouble, annoyance, or public disturbance while intoxicated, may face penalties.

• This may lead to (6) months. Furthermore, a fine of up to AED one hundred thousand (100,000), or more penalties may be given.
• This may lead to a jail sentence of up to one (1) year.  This could also result in a fine of up to AED one hundred thousand (100,000), or more penalties.
• However, if the person offering or selling alcohol verifies that the age of the recipient is not less than twenty-one years, based on a passport or any other official document, then no crime is committed.
• In all cases, the court may order the confiscation of alcoholic beverages, seized proceeds, and the equipment, materials, and means used in their production or transfer.

Additionally, the place or location where the offense was committed may be closed, and the court may even decide to expel the offender from the country. It’s important to note that these legal changes should be understood in the appropriate context. Each emirate in the UAE has the authority to establish its own rules regarding alcohol consumption.

Therefore, if a specific emirate has laws that prohibit the consumption of alcohol, those local laws take precedence over the federal laws.