Hamlet, I should have elaborated on my theory a bit .... my point was that the reduced accessibility would make it more difficult for children to get. So long as you can walk into a store and buy it legally, such as for a younger person, or by using fake identification, I think it will be more easily accessible to children. However, I do agree with your point regarding the image children have of alcohol, 'right of passage'.

I believe a lot of things would lose their appeal if they were decriminalized and/or age restrictions lifted. That doesn't mean that I support underage drinking. I just believe that the restrictions we place on things like alcohol and cannabis make them more appealling to children.