The advice from England’s Chief Medical Officer is that “Children and their parents and carers are advised that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option. However, if children drink alcohol, it should not be until at least the age of 15 years”.
Children’s bodies and brains are still developing well into their teenage years and beyond. The CMO guidance outlines some of the risks to children’s physical and mental health from drinking alcohol, from risky behaviour to low mood and depression.
As parents we have more influence than we might think in setting boundaries for our children but its not an easy job. Some parents provide alcohol for children in the belief it helps to counter risky drinking – but the evidence is now clear it is more likely to give children a taste for it. Some parents provide alcohol for children in the belief it helps to counter risky drinking – but the evidence is now clear it is more likely to give children a taste for it.
Liaising with ‘Balance – reducing alcohol harm’, a UK awareness campaign, we have produced a local free Guide for Parents which covers the Chief Medical Officer guidance, the myths and the facts, and gives advice on how parents can talk to their child about alcohol.
As parents we want to do the right thing for our children.
But drinking before 18 can harm their physical and mental health and put them into risky situations. Providing children with alcohol undermines age of sale laws designed to protect our communities and can trigger heavier and more regular drinking…. Liver disease among young people is rising… while long term alcohol use is linked to at least seven types of cancer. The longer we can delay alcohol in their lives, the better.