'Alcopops' blamed for teenage binge-drinking

Health experts are blaming 'alcopops' for an all-time high in teenage binge drinking.

Worrying figures show that the average alcohol consumption of children aged 11 - 15 has nearly doubled over the past 10 years - soaring from 5.3 units a week in 1990 to 9.8 a week in 2001.

What's worse according to the research, is that 86 per cent of all 15 year olds drink. Boys are drinking more than ever before at an average of 13.8 units per week and girls consuming 10.7 units a week.

The Department of Health said its findings showed that flavoured alcoholic beverages (FABs) were becoming more popular among kids and were the main root of the problem.

About 68 per cent of schoolchildren surveyed drank alcopops in contrast to just 37 per cent in 1998. They consumed drinks such as Bacardi Breezers, Smirnoff Ice, WKD and Reef.

But Paul Hegarty of Coors Brewers, the producers of Reef and Hooch, said drinks companies were doing their best to promote safe drinking.

"It's not the drink that is the problem but our attitude towards alcohol. We are working with the government on its national alcohol harm reduction strategy to solve the problem of binge drinking and are very much involved.

"People can clearly see these drinks are designed for adults and are marked with the spirit name so as not to appeal to children."

The government's alcohol strategy, which should be in place by 2004, aims to tackle the problem of Britain's binge-drinking culture by consulting with health, police and industry experts.