Guidelines on drinking for under 18s
The most recent government advice for young people and their parents about alcohol was published in December 2009 by the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson.
His recommendations are:
- Children and their parents and carers are advised that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option. However, if children drink alcohol, it should not be until at least the age of 15 years.
- If young people aged 15 to 17 years consume alcohol, it should always be with the guidance of a parent or carer or in a supervised environment.
- Parents and young people should be aware that drinking, even at age 15 or older, can put your health at risk and that not drinking is the healthiest option for young people. If 15 to 17 year olds do consume alcohol, they should do so infrequently and certainly on no more than one day a week. Young people aged 15 to 17 years should never exceed recommended adult daily limits and, on days when they drink, consumption should usually be below such levels.
- The importance of parental influences on children’s alcohol use should be communicated to parents, carers and professionals. Parents and carers require advice on how to respond to alcohol use and misuse by children.
- Support services must be available for children and young people who have alcohol-related problems and their parents.
While there have been official government drinking guidelines for adults for many years, there has been little guidance for under-18s and their parents. This advice is based on extensive research done by a panel of experts.
Read the Chief Medical Officer's Guidance on the consumption of alcohol by children and young people published in December 2009.
read the full consultation on children, young people and alcohol on the Department for Children, Schools, and Families website.
- Page last updated by
- Root User, 18 Jun 2010.
- Page checked on
- 03 Feb 2009
