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Talk about alcohol

Parents

Fact File

What's the law?

Under 16s:

With the new licensing law, it is now at the Landlord's discretion as to whether children are allowed anywhere in a pub. They cannot of course, buy or drink alcohol on the premises.

The Chief Medical Officer now recommends that children should have an alcohol-free childhood - if children drink alcohol, it shouldn't be before they are 15 years old

The Chief Medical Officers Guidance 2009

  • If young people aged 15 to 17 years old drink 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 be hazardous to health and not drinking is the healthiest option
  • If children aged 15 to 17 drink alcohol they should do so infrequently and on no more than one day a week - they should never drink more than the adult daily limits
  • The importance of parental influence on children's alcohol use should be communicated to parents, carers and professionals

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There are over 470 drink-driving deaths each year.

Sources: NHS confederation briefing 2010 and NHS statistics on England 09 and DCSF Children, Young People and Alcohol consultation 2009
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