U-18 drinkers given alcohol by parents

Over half (53%) of under-18s who drink alcohol say they are given it by their parents, a new study has revealed.

The study, conducted for the Department of Schools, Families and Children, showed that the majority of under-18s who drink alcohol had done so in their own home (62%) or other people's homes (41%).

Only 17% of underage drinkers said they had drunk in a pub or bar and 11% at a club or a disco.

It also said that children who have parents who drink heavily are more likely to do so themselves.

The research comes as the Government unveiled a new campaign to crackdown on underage drinking to coincide with half-term.

It has made £350,000 available to police forces for confiscation campaigns from underage drinkers and sting campaigns on pubs and shops selling alcohol to under-18s.

But the campaign will also include education with new cinema advertisements under the "Why let drink decide" banner, best practice guides for local authorities and a football tournament, called Kickz, to provide kids with a positive alternative to alcohol.

Parents will also be encouraged and given advice on how to talk openly to their children about the dangers of alcohol after the research revealed that 26% of youngsters said their parents had never discussed alcohol with them.

Parental influence​

"Today's research shows that parents underestimate their influence over their child's drinking and attitudes to alcohol, yet a quarter of young people have never spoken to their parents about the issue," said Schools minister Vernon Coaker.

"A very small minority let their drinking get out of control and this can lead to anti-social behaviour and problems in communities. We have given the police all the powers they need to crackdown on young people drinking alcohol.

"In the last six months of 2009 alone over 6,000 litres of alcohol were confiscated from young people in our Youth Crime Action Plan areas as part of the Government's crackdown. We are determined to do all we can to prevent alcohol ruining the lives of children, young people and their families."

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell added: "Alcohol is often at the root of youth crime, so by reducing underage drinking we can stop young people being drawn into anti-social behaviour and crime.

"We recently introduced new powers to tackle underage drinking, including making it easier for police to confiscate alcohol, move on groups of teenagers causing trouble and stop retailers selling to underage children."