A survey on teenage drinking in the North West of England suggests that parents should share a glass of alcohol with their older children at meal times as a way of steering them away from alcohol misuse later. This is one of a number of recommendations put forward by the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University in a major study into the drinking habits of 10,000 young people in the region. Findings will now be circulated to the Department of Health, trading standards and other key agencies .

90% of the 15 and 16 year olds surveyed admitted drinking alcohol, and of those 40% had binge drunk (consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in one session), 25% were frequent drinkers and half drank in bars, clubs, on the streets and in public parks. The report also found that children who buy their own alcohol are six times more likely to drink in public places, three times as likely to drink frequently and twice as likely to binge drink.

The study also found that older siblings and friends, and adults contacted outside of shops, are frequent sources of alcohol for school children. Where these methods are used to acquire alcohol, there are increased levels of binge, frequent and public drinking. Importantly, where parents provide alcohol to their children, such children are less likely to binge drink and to drink in public places.

Based on these findings authors suggest that escalating alcohol misuse amongst youths could be tackled by:

- Universal adoption of age checks for individuals purchasing alcohol who look under 21, greater investment in policing underage sales and immediate, severe penalties for every individual or establishment found to be selling alcohol to those underage.

- Replacing peer pressure to drink dangerously with positive parental role models for sensible alcohol consumption. This may include teenage children drinking alcohol with their parents during meals or elsewhere, in moderation, in order to educate them about alcohol use.

- Advice to parents about monitoring the income and expenditure of children so that there is a better understanding about how much money children have and whether it is being spent appropriately.

Professor Mark A Bellis, Director of the Centre for Public Health and lead author of the report, commented, “The ability to drink alcohol sensibly is not a gift people are born with but one that must be learnt. By the age of fifteen the vast majority of young people are already using alcohol and this study suggests that those who do so with their parents are more likely to avoid the most dangerous drinking behaviours. In the UK we still have a great deal to learn about how parents can best act as alcohol role models and educators for their children. However, a Mediterranean approach to alcohol consumption, with food and with restraint, is unlikely to ever develop in the UK unless parents demonstrate such behaviours and help develop them in their children.

Dominic Harrison, Deputy Regional Director of Public Health and Chair of the North West Regional Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Group said: “We have seen a rising tide of alcohol-related harm over the past five years which is having a widespread impact on health, well-being and quality of life across the North West region. This research provides important new perspectives on ways in which we may be able to foster a sensible drinking culture for future generations. Our cultural attitudes to alcohol have changed considerably over time but having a first alcoholic drink is still seen as a significant ‘right of passage’ for young people.

An important message from this research is that it may be important for parents to ensure their children have their first alcoholic drink with them, in a safe supervised home environment, rather than alone or with friends in the park”. He concluded “All agencies need to work together to promote realistic and sensible messages about the safe management of alcohol”.