Recent press releases relating to alcohol

Young people are binge-drinking at an increasingly early age, with serious consequences for health and crime, according to research released today.

A poll of youngsters involved in a national youth programme found 42% started drinking before they were 13, with 29% saying they drink to get drunk.

The national poll questioned 1,250 10 to 19-year-olds involved in the Government-funded Positive Futures programme, which offers sport and vocational programmes to disadvantaged young people.

Half (50%) said they had been involved in fighting or aggressive behaviour as a result of drinking and a quarter (24%) had been in trouble with the police.

Other effects differed in relation to gender, with one in three young females admitting to greater sexual irresponsibility and young males reporting higher levels of vandalism.

One fifth (18%) had experienced memory loss and the same amount had taken another drug while drinking.

Half claimed their parents condoned or did not care about their drinking, and 42% knew family and friends with alcohol-related problems.

Just over half (52%) bought alcohol from a local corner shop, off licence or supermarket and up to 44% drank it in their park, street or elsewhere in their housing area.

But the poll also found 46% thought sports and other positive activities would reduce alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour.

Clare Checksfield, the chief executive of Crime Concern, which manages the Positive Futures programme, said: "When young people are drinking young, then prevention work has to start early too. Now is the time to act.

"We need to tackle a wider drinking culture and together make certain that parents and peer groups are involved.

"Young people are taking risks with their health and with their future by getting involved in alcohol-related violence."

She added: "We need to build on the Positive Futures model of developing strong relationships with young people based on trust, and try to reach out to as many young people as possible."

Vernon Coaker, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime Reduction, said: "Enforcement campaigns to choke the supply of alcohol to underage children are now well established and this year will see more direct action by police and trading standards teams to tackle irresponsible retailers.

"Alongside tough, systematic enforcement of the law we are working with local authorities and schools to educate young people about alcohol harm at an early stage. A major research programme currently under way will develop this work further and identify what makes the biggest impact on the young.

"This research will help to shape the future direction of drug and alcohol education across the country."

Children and Families Minister Beverley Hughes said: "Binge drinking is a concern which the Government is already taking very seriously, as demonstrated by the Safe, Sensible, Social national alcohol strategy.

"We have been working to develop that strategy with detailed plans for additional government action - specifically on young people and alcohol - that we will announce in March 2008.

"The report is important because it adds to our thinking and crucially tells us about young people's drinking patterns from the young people themselves. It's time to build on this knowledge."

ENDS

NEW SURVEY SHOWS ALMOST ONE THIRD OF ADULTS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO BUY ALCOHOL FOR A MINOR                                     

A new survey conducted for responsible drinking campaigners, The Portman Group, shows that almost one third (32%) of adults have been asked to buy alcohol on behalf of someone under 18.

Of those who had been asked over one third admitted to buying alcohol for a minor (proxy purchase).

The survey also found one in four adults who admitted to buying alcohol for someone under 18 said that they did not know it was an offence.

A further 30% of those who admitted to buying alcohol for minors said that they had done so because they had felt intimidated. 30% also said that they didn't think it would do any harm.

Other findings include:

The findings come as The Portman Group launches its campaign to highlight the offence of "proxy purchase". 100,000 posters and window stickers will be distributed to off licences, convenience stores, supermarkets and pubs, highlighting the fact that buying alcohol for a minor is illegal and could result in an £80 on-the-spot fine.

Jean Coussins, Chief Executive of The Portman Group, comments:

"Buying alcohol on behalf of a minor is against the law. This campaign will highlight the fact that if you do purchase alcohol for someone under 18 you might end up with an £80 fine or even taken to court to face a maximum £5000 fine.

"We urge all alcohol retailers to be more vigilant and never sell alcohol to someone they think might be passing it on to under 18s."

Home Office Minister, Paul Goggins, said;

"It is illegal for anyone to buy alcohol on behalf of a person under 18 and with the new police powers within the Licensing Act, those who do so could face a fine of up to £5,000.     

"Selling to minors, whether it is over the counter or through a third party will not be tolerated and I give my full backing to the proxy purchase awareness campaign being implemented by the Portman Group, which supports our ongoing work with police to tackle underage drinking."

The campaign has the backing of the Trading Standards Institute (TSI), the Association of Convenience Stores and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers.

Ron Gainsford, Chief Executive of The TSI commented:

"Trading Standards professionals are engaged across the country in working with Police, the industry and local authorities to prevent sales of alcohol to underage young people. Proxy purchasing is not smart and can damage the lives of young people and the welfare of the local community. We will do all we can to detect it, prevent it and bring the irresponsible to task."

John Bateman OBE, Chief Executive of UK Youth, a leading national youth work charity commented:

"Anyone purchasing alcohol for consumption by a young person under the age of 18 is not only committing an offence, but also engaging in extreme anti social behaviour. Young people need sensible, positive support from adults, to help them develop their potential through engaging and creative activities, not an introduction to a potential alcohol fuelled downward spiral that can lead to binge drinking and despair." 

David Rae, Chief Executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, commented:

"Tackling proxy purchasing is essential if we are to stop alcohol getting into the hands of children.  This issue has been neglected too often in the past, and those who buy alcohol on behalf of children need to know that they are committing a serious offence which has consequences for the entire community.  Convenience stores should ensure that they and their customers are aware that proxy purchasing is illegal, and that they are doing all they can to prevent it and to fulfil their duties as a responsible retailer."

ENDS

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