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Four out of 10 parents (40%) said they would proactively teach their children about alcohol and thought the right age to do this was at around 14 and a half, but according to 16 and 17 year olds, this is 12 months later than the time young people, on average, start drinking.¹

According to research conducted by ICM, the average age children have their first alcoholic drink is 13 and a half years and by just over 14, hundreds of young people have been drunk for the first time.  England’s Chief Medical Officer estimates that 360,000 11-15 year olds get drunk on a weekly basis.

While parents are confident they can talk to their children about alcohol, many do not have the information and advice they need. Drinkaware is encouraging parents to make sure they are well informed when they guide their children about responsible drinking. The charity has set up a series of round-table discussions with senior figures from the alcohol industry and government, health and parenting professionals and young people themselves to tackle underage drinking head on.

The research questioning 16 and 17 year olds also showed that: ¹

• Over half (51%) listen to their parents about drinking alcohol;
• Nearly four in five (78%) drink regularly at friends’ houses;
• 44% keep alcohol at home;
• 60% see drinking as a normal part of socialising and being young;
• Almost half (49%) said they had seen their parents drunk.

Drinkaware’s CEO, Chris Sorek said: “It’s really encouraging that parents want to educate their children about alcohol, and that young people say they’re listening to what their parents say. Parents tell us they find it really difficult to know the best approach to talking about alcohol to their children – and that’s where we come in. “Drinkaware can provide clear information to parents and young people about the risks of binge drinking from a young age, and offer practical guidance to parents to help them educate their children about alcohol at the right time.

“There are strong links between drinking high levels of alcohol and youth offending, teenage pregnancy, truancy and exclusion from school, so it’s absolutely imperative that parents and young people can get all the available facts about alcohol.”

To help parents talk to their children about alcohol, Drinkaware recommends the following tips for parents:

• Be open with your children about alcohol - explain the pros and cons of drinking, without lecturing. Let them ask questions and tell them they can speak to you any time. Warn them especially about how easy it is for inexperienced drinkers to go over their limits, make a fool of themselves and compromise their safety.
• Try not to shout and lecture your children if they come home drunk. Sit them down and talk to them about it calmly at another time. Getting angry could make them more deceptive the next time they drink, and it’s better for you if you know where your child is and what they’re doing.
• Lead by example. If you often drink heavily in front of your children, they'll think its okay to do the same.  

The survey forms part of Drinkaware’s public education programme which aims to change British drinking culture by engaging consumers with impactful information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. For further advice and information visit www.drinkaware.co.uk
[Ends]

For further information please contact:
Emily May
Communications Officer
The Drinkaware Trust
Tel: 020 7307 7459
Email: emay@drinkawaretrust.org.uk
Notes to editors:

1. ICM Research interviewed a representative sample of 1,095 people across Great Britain; 553 interviews with young people aged 16-17 years and 542 with parents of children aged 10-17. Interviews were conducted in-street, using self-completion questionnaires, between 21 February and 13 March 2009. The results have been weighted to the profile of all young people aged 16-17 and parents of children aged 10-17 in Great Britain. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk

2. Drinkaware partnered with The Guardian to explore issues around young people, parents and alcohol. A series of ICM street surveys and Guardian online polls challenged parents, professionals and young people to define what makes alcohol so appealing and what can be done to ensure the UK alcohol culture is a healthy one.

3. Drinkaware provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and affect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works alongside the medical profession, the alcohol industry and government to achieve its goals.  For further information visit www.Drinkaware.co.uk

Page last updated by

Root User, 19 Apr 2010.