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| Tough child alcohol guidance due | Tough child alcohol guidance due |
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| Children aged under 15 should never be given alcohol, even in small quantities, England's chief medical officer is expected to say. | Children aged under 15 should never be given alcohol, even in small quantities, England's chief medical officer is expected to say. |
| A recent survey revealed 20% of 13-year-olds drank alcohol at least once a week. | A recent survey revealed 20% of 13-year-olds drank alcohol at least once a week. |
| Sir Liam Donaldson will also call for parents and carers to supervise any older children given alcoholic drinks. | Sir Liam Donaldson will also call for parents and carers to supervise any older children given alcoholic drinks. |
| The 'no drink' stance is backed by charities such as Alcohol Concern and the Royal College of Physicians. | The 'no drink' stance is backed by charities such as Alcohol Concern and the Royal College of Physicians. |
| Parents have for too long received mixed messages about whether they should give their children a little bit of alcohol or not SpokesmanAlcohol Concern class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5976&edition=1&ttl=20090129060403">Send us your comments | |
| The guideline is the first on children and alcohol produced by the government, and it is understood that there is no intention to back it with legislation. | The guideline is the first on children and alcohol produced by the government, and it is understood that there is no intention to back it with legislation. |
| Currently, it is legal for parents to give any child over five alcohol in the home. | Currently, it is legal for parents to give any child over five alcohol in the home. |
| The public will be asked for its views on the advice during a consultation period. | The public will be asked for its views on the advice during a consultation period. |
| Ministers and doctors are worried by rising rates of binge-drinking and alcohol-related liver disease in the young, and see the guideline as a necessary step in preventing people getting a taste for alcohol at too young an age. | Ministers and doctors are worried by rising rates of binge-drinking and alcohol-related liver disease in the young, and see the guideline as a necessary step in preventing people getting a taste for alcohol at too young an age. |
| Although some parents, and researchers, have argued that giving a child an occasional drink helps demystify it, and reduce the chance of bingeing later on, Sir Liam will insist that an "alcohol-free childhood" is the healthiest and best option. | Although some parents, and researchers, have argued that giving a child an occasional drink helps demystify it, and reduce the chance of bingeing later on, Sir Liam will insist that an "alcohol-free childhood" is the healthiest and best option. |
| Parents should be aware that drinking, even at age 15 or older, can be hazardous to health. | Parents should be aware that drinking, even at age 15 or older, can be hazardous to health. |
| Children over 15 should not be given alcohol on more than one day a week, he said. | Children over 15 should not be given alcohol on more than one day a week, he said. |
| 'Pocket money prices' | 'Pocket money prices' |
| Alcohol Concern has already welcomed the proposal, with a spokesman telling the Observer newspaper: "Parents have for too long received mixed messages about whether they should give their children a little bit of alcohol or not. | Alcohol Concern has already welcomed the proposal, with a spokesman telling the Observer newspaper: "Parents have for too long received mixed messages about whether they should give their children a little bit of alcohol or not. |
| However, she added: "There are an awful lot more factors that influence young people's drinking than just what their parents say. | However, she added: "There are an awful lot more factors that influence young people's drinking than just what their parents say. |
| "The easy availability of alcohol at pocket money prices is far more important." | "The easy availability of alcohol at pocket money prices is far more important." |
| Professor Ian Gilmore, the president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, also told the Observer that the guidance would "make sense" to parents. | Professor Ian Gilmore, the president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, also told the Observer that the guidance would "make sense" to parents. |