27/04/2007

Charity calls for prosecution of teen drinkers parents

A charity has called for parents who give children under 15 alcohol, even at meals at home, to be prosecuted.

Alcohol Concern made the statement following the publication of the charity's report, which assesses the impact of the government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.

The report found that the amount of alcohol consumed by girls aged between 11 - 13 has increased by 82.6% between 2000 - 2006, while for boys the number has gone up by 43.4% during the same period.

Srabani Sen, Chief of Alcohol Concern, said: "Binge drinking by children can have serious consequences for brain function, significantly raises the risk of alcohol dependency in later life and diminishes their life chances. Our report shows that we are simply not doing enough to protect our children from alcohol."

The charity said that making it illegal to provide alcohol to anyone under the age of 15 would send a stronger message to parents regarding the risks associated with letting young people drink alcohol.

The charity also called for stronger enforcement of the law around underage purchase of alcohol, an end to the advertising of alcohol on TV before the watershed and in cinemas where films with ratings below 18 are being shown.

Alcohol Concern also suggested making alcohol education part of the National Curriculum.

(KMcA/JM)


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