Lets take the argument to its logical conclusion. Introduce prohibition! That would reduce alcohol consumption by even more.

yes any ten year old can follow your logic, it's wrong. Education not prohibition is the key.
If the average 18 year cannot make responsible decision about alcohol then why would we allow them to vote, marry or join the armed forces?

The links between sport and alcohol are very insideous and damaging especially rugby league. Do you remember the ugly roadside billboard with the Mathew Johns persona "Ocker" holding up a stubbie of VB and exclaiming "have a VB with me". He had a carton under one arm and holding up a stubbie with the other. His eyes were like dinner plates and appeared to have already consumed the first carton.

All people, not just the young, have to start going back to the future and taking responsibility themselves. If they can’t do that, and they are affecting others, punish them.

Lowering the drinking age will just not happen: kids well below the current drinking age are drinking now. And, only the hopelessly naïve and out of touch would believe that politicians are going to lower the drinking age when 18 year olds have the vote.

So, some blab on about ‘education’. That won’t work, either. The know-alls never come up with a sensible, proven-to-work plan. Why? There isn’t one.

Which brings us back take-responsibility-for-your-own-actions.

The do-gooders come up with naïve suggestions; good parents do their best (but, if their education of their off springs kicks in only at when the drinking starts, it’s useless).

Anybody who has to continue drinking after midnight has a real problem, and the majority should not have to pay for their problem through whacky ‘education’ schemes, TV commercials, high prices for alcohol etc. There are laws against anti-social behaviour, irrespective of its cause. Demand that politicians see that these laws are enforced and DO NOT allow gutless magistrates to usurp the role of our ELECTED representatives

Following on Cobber's comments,

18 is the age of becoming legally an adult. One can run a business, sign contracts, and be considered legally completely responsible for one's actions. Legally one cannot be discriminated against.

To raise the drinking age would require that a group of people be no longer considered full adults. This could then apply to 18 year olds, aborigines etc.

Each generation does what the previous generations did, only in excess. In the 1950's beer drinking was common. By the 70's 80's spirits were getting more and more popular. By 2000 drugs of all sorts were in more and more demand. Trying to legislate against abuse seems next to useless. Dealing with the sale of booze does not remove the anger, the lust, the violence, the perversion and the total disregard for others. These things are encouraged by the total lack of discipline that children receive as well as the godless dogmas pushed on the kids in schools. A fatherless kid fueled by anger and bitterness won't be stopped by a 'restriction ' in grog sales.