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The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, has advised parents that children under 15 should not drink alcohol in new guidance on drinking among young people.

Dr Tony Jewell will point to research that shows clear evidence that alcohol can harm the development of children.

The new guidance, You, Your Children and Alcohol, aims to help protect children and young people from the risks linked to alcohol consumption.

Research shows that four out of 10 Welsh 15-year-olds drink alcohol on a weekly basis and that two out of 10 15-year-olds report having been drunk for the first time at the age of 13 or younger.

The three principles are:

• Children under 15 shouldn’t drink alcohol as there is evidence that it can harm the developing brain, bones and hormones;
• Drinking at age 15 years and older can be hazardous to health. Binge drinking and heavy alcohol use puts young people at serious risk – from injuries, fights, regretted sexual activity and substance misuse; and,
• If parents use alcohol responsibly, it is more likely their children will too. Parents and carers can protect children from misusing alcohol by maintaining a close relationship with their children, setting clear rules about alcohol and supervising their children’s drinking.

A public awareness campaign will begin next month to raise awareness of the dangers of young people’s alcohol consumption to reduce the impact on individuals, families and society.

A video booth will be available on the Assembly Government stand at the Urdd Eisteddfod to gauge young people’s views on alcohol. The views gathered will help inform the development of campaigns to tackle alcohol misuse in young people.

Dr Jewell said:

“Evidence shows that the younger people start drinking, the greater the impact on their health and well-being in the long term.

“We know that children are under a lot of peer pressure particularly in their teenage years, and may find it difficult not to go along with their friends who may drink or smoke. But it is essential that we all take responsibility for setting a good example to young people to minimise this.

“Not only is there a clear immediate and long term impact on health of alcohol misuse, there is the potential for young people to be at risk of being involved in anti-social behaviour, crime, unwanted pregnancies or drugs.

“The cost to the NHS in Wales alone of treating alcohol-related health problems currently stands between £70-85million a year. If we do not tackle this problem, the financial cost in the future will be significantly higher.

“I am not trying to preach to people with this new guidance. I aim to simply set out the facts to help parents and young people make informed choices. Ultimately, it is a matter for individuals if they take this advice on board.”

Health Minister Edwina Hart added:

“Alcohol misuse damages the health of individuals, damages families through alcohol-related domestic abuse and inflicts crime and anti-social behaviour on communities.

“I welcome the new guidance from the Chief Medical Officer. While we are taking action to improve education, prevention and treatment, the main levers to make the most significant change remain with the UK Government through the power to legislate on price, licensing and advertising.

“I will work with the UK Government on this but if it does not take action soon, I will seek the powers to act ourselves.

“I welcome that the new UK Government has already indicated that it will review the licensing laws and that it will end the promotions on alcohol as this will help to reduce the binge drinking culture.”

BMA Cymru Wales’ Welsh Secretary Dr Richard Lewis, said:

“BMA Cymru Wales fully support this new guidance.

“Children under fifteen are still developing their brains, and drinking alcohol can do severe damage and have long lasting consequences.

“Young people who binge drink in adolescence are also more likely to become binge drinkers as adults, and have an increased risk of developing alcohol dependence.

“Unless we combat the heavy drinking culture which has developed amongst young people, we are more likely to see increasing numbers of people with serious liver disease at a younger age in years to come.

“We advocate an integrated approach to tackling alcohol misuse. These guidelines need to be supported by a crackdown on shops that sell alcohol to underage children, and some form of minimum pricing.”

Andrew Misell, from Alcohol Concern Wales said:

“An alcohol- free childhood is the ideal for all children, as evidence shows it will delay the age of first drinking and reduce potential harms.

“All of us as adults need to set the right example so that children can learn how to treat alcohol responsibly. We also need to ensure children aren’t tempted to buy or get hold of cheap alcohol and the easiest way to do this would be to introduce a minimum price for alcohol.”

Related Links

You, your child and alcohol

Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report 2008