Alcohol
The Facts
Although under 18’s cannot legally buy alcohol, a ‘Youth Lifestyles’ survey found that 63% of 16-17 year olds and 10% of 12-15 year olds who had drank in the last year usually bought their alcohol themselves.
It is estimated that alcohol causes 28,000 deaths per year in England and Wales.
Long term effects can result in liver damage, stomach cancer and heart disease.
According to Department of Health statistics 36% of all crimes committed by people under the age of eighteen take place while the perpetrator is under the influence of alcohol.
Young people who begin drinking before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who start at 21.
Restrictions
It is a criminal offence in the UK to sell intoxicating liquor to persons under 18. If a sale is made to a person under 18, the person buying, the cashier selling, the designated premise supervisor and the owner of the business commit an offence. The retailer’s licence to sell liquor may be at risk. It is an offence in the UK for any person under the age of 18 to sell intoxicating liquor without direct supervision from a duly authorised person.
It is an offence to supply anyone under 16 with liqueur chocolates.
Penalties
The maximum penalty for these offences is a fine of £5000.
If there are more than two sales in a short period, a Review of the premise licence may be called and the Local Authority may remove the licence.