Community Alcohol Partnerships report says giving alcohol to teens at home does not teach them to drink responsibly as Government plans to tackle booze advertising
Parents who introduce their children to alcohol at home could be doing lasting harm, experts have warned.
A report has found early introduction of alcohol dramatically increases the chances of binge-drinking, alcohol dependency as well as harming the developing brain of teenagers. The Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) report, led by behavioural psychologist Dr Anna Sallis, was presented before MPs at an event in Parliament on Thursday. Kate Winstanley, director of CAP, said: “Too many parents still mistakenly believe that giving alcohol to children at home will teach them to drink responsibly or reduce the risk of them getting alcohol elsewhere.
“Our report shows that every year earlier a child is given alcohol, their risk of binge drinking and alcohol harm including as an adult will increase. They are also more, not less, likely to obtain alcohol elsewhere if their parents allow them to drink.
“We can’t afford to be vague about this issue. The science is clear and our messaging needs to be clear. Parents need to say no to alcohol before 18 and children need their parents to say no.
“Under-age drinking is not inevitable and parental supply is preventable. This is not about telling parents they’re bad, it’s showing them a better way.”
The Government is examining the introduction of restrictions which could include a ban on advertising alcoholic drinks on TV before the 9pm watershed.
Social media could also see alcohol advertising banned from any website or app where at least quarter of the audience is under the age of 16.
The Telegraph reported it would also rule out adverts which appear aimed at under 18s, meaning the avoidance of youth slang or celebrity placements aimed at younger demographics. Such rules are currently only part of self-regulatory guidance but are not widely adhered to.
Next week Health Secretary Wes Streeting will launch the Government’s long-awaited 10-year health plan that will promise a shift to prevention of illness.
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Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) is a UK-wide initiative set up to tackle underage drinking. Its new report, called Preventing Parental Alcohol Supply to Children and Young People, comes ahead of six pilot schemes aimed at preventing parental supply from 2026. To raise awareness of the issue at Westminster, CAP hosted a breakfast event for MPs in Parliament on Thursday.
CAP director Kate Winstanley added: “One of the biggest drivers of parental supply is the belief that ‘everyone is doing it.’ If parents think all other parents are giving alcohol to their kids, they’ll do the same. But the truth is, most parents don’t supply and teen drinking rates are actually falling.
“Let’s keep it that way, and let’s encourage more parents to be part of the majority protecting their kids by saying no to alcohol.”