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Underage Sales

Alcohol 

 

 

 
  It is estimated that alcohol causes 28,000 excess deaths per year in England and Wales. The medical effects of long term use of alcohol has been shown to cause liver damage, stomach cancer and heart disease but additional deaths involving alcohol take the form of drowning and fire. 7% of accidental drowning are as a result of alcohol and 40% of household fires are due to alcohol.

Home Office figures that 36% of all crimes committed by people under the age of eighteen are done so while the perpetrator is under the influence of alcohol.

According to Department of Health Statistics 26% of all 11 - 15 year olds drink each week. That is 28% of the boys and 25% of the girls within this age range, the numbers vary with 6% of 11 year olds drinking increasing to 52% of 15 year olds.

At a stage in their lives when the bodies of young people are developing, heavy drinking causes problems with the red muscle fibres causing endurance problems, whereas regular drinking affects white muscle fibres affecting explosive activity such as sprinting.

Alcoholism is a physical dependency much the same as heroin addiction. 


Legislation:

  • Licensing Act 2003

Age Restriction:

  • 18 except to buy beer, cider or porter with a meal in the restaurant part of an on licence premises.

Offences:

  • To sell intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of eighteen. 
  • To buy or attempt to buy intoxicating liquor if under eighteen.
  • To buy alcohol on behalf of someone under eighteen.
 
 

Useful Links:

 
       
 
 

Mind, Body & Soul

Health information for key stage 4 pupils (14-16 year olds). Part of the Wired for Health series of websites developed by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills.

 
 
 
Wrecked!
The NHS site offering advice to young people on alcohol.
 
 
 
Urban75
A no nonsense site for young people.
 
 
 
D-2K
As above!
 
 
 

Department of Health

Alcohol and young people.

 
 
 

The Portman Group produces leaflets and other publications offering advice on alcohol to young people and their parents, carers and teachers.

 

   

Gloucestershire County Council, Trading Standards, Hillfield House, Denmark Road, Gloucester GL1 3LD
Telephone: (01452) 426201
Fax: (01452) 426274

Electronic Mail: tradstds@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Internet World Wide Web: http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/glos

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm (We do not close for lunch)

Copyright © Gloucestershire 1999


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This page was last edited on 03/10/06