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Tough child alcohol guidance due 'No alcohol' urged for under-15s
(about 1 hour later)
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. Sir Liam Donaldson will also say children over 15 should not be given alcohol on more than one day a week - and only under supervision.
Sir Liam Donaldson will also call for parents and carers to supervise any older children given alcoholic drinks. The stance is backed by 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. It is legal for parents to give a child over five alcohol in the home and the guidance is not expected to become law.
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 guidance comes after a recent survey suggested 20% of 13-year-olds drank alcohol at least once a week.
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 advice is the first on children and alcohol produced by the government but it is understood there is no intention to back it with legislation. 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
Currently, it is legal for parents to give any child over five alcohol in the home. The public will be asked for its views 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 alcohol, and reduces 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, he will say.
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.
'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. Damion Queva, publisher of Fathers' Quarterly magazine, told the BBC he had given his daughter a small glass of champagne and orange juice on her 13th birthday.
"Teenagers shouldn't be drinking but in the real world it happens and they are going to get it elsewhere," he said.
"Parents can take control by taking the mystique out of it by giving them a taste and educating their children about alcohol and abuse of alcohol."
He added that the drinking culture seemed to be "getting younger and younger" and the pressures on teenagers to drink were "huge".
Alcohol Concern has already welcomed the proposal, with a spokesman telling the Observer newspaper at the weekend: "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.