Are you old enough?

The answer to the age old questions about age from Brazil, Canada, China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, North Korea, Russia, the UK and the US. Answers found on the web. If you see a question mark (?) it probably isn't legislated.

Minimum Age for Military Service: Brazil - 17 (21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service). Canada - 16. China - 18 (Men aged 18 to 22 may be drafted into the army at any time; men aged 18 to 35 may be drafted into the militia, or into the army during wartime. Term of service varies from between two and four years). Iran -18 (mandatory service for any and all men for 2 years). Mexico - 18 (mandatory service for any and all men between the ages of 18 and 40 for one year). Nigeria - 18. North Korea - 17. Russia - 18 (Russia has adopted a mixed conscript-contract force; 18-27 years of age; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; length of compulsory military service is 2 years to 1 year by 2008). UK - 16. US - 18 (17 with parental consent).

Minimum Drinking age: Brazil - 18. Canada - 18 or 19 by province. China - any to drink and 18 to buy. Iran - illegal for everyone except Christians and Jews. Mexico - 18. Nigeria - any to drink and 18 to buy. North Korea - ?. Russia - any. UK - 5 to drink and 18 to buy. US - 21.

Minimum Voting age: Brazil - 16 (mandatory suffrage from 18 to 70, military conscripts do not vote). Canada - 18. China - 18. Iran - 18. Mexico - 18. Nigeria - 18. North Korea - 17. Russia - 18. UK - 18. US - 18.

Minimum age to Marry: Brazil - 21. Canada - 18. China - 20 Female, 22 Male. Iran - 15 Female, 18 Male. Mexico - ?. Nigeria - 14-17 Female, 16-18 Male. North Korea - ?. Russia - 18. UK - 18. US - 18-19 Female, 18-21 Male by state (13F 14M in some states with parental consent).

Minimum age to drive: Brazil - 18. Canada - 14 to 16 by province. China - 18. Iran - 18. Mexico - 16 (16 restricted to driving from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM & 18 No time restrictions). Nigeria - ?. North Korea - ?. Russia - 18. UK - 17. US - 14 to 18 by state.

Minimum age to smoke: Brazil - 18. Canada - 18. China - ?. Iran - ?. Mexico -?. Nigeria - ?. North Korea - ?. Russia - ?. UK - 16 in Northern Ireland and 18 in Great Britain. US - 18.

(by Marc Adami, Guest Columnist)