Citation
Wells, D. (2001), "Databank. Alcohol sales to underage adolescents", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 31 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2001.01731aaf.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Databank. Alcohol sales to underage adolescents
Databank
Alcohol sales to underage adolescents
Research findings recently published by the Alcohol Education and Research Council show how easy it is for young people to buy alcohol from pubs and off-licences. Professor Paul Willner of the University of Wales, Swansea found that the illegal sale of alcohol to young people is widespread. Sixteen-year-old girls and boys and girls as young as 13 have little difficulty buying alcohol. Some underage purchasers were sold alcohol even after showing a card displaying their date of birth. Other retailers were reluctant to request proof of age of young customers. Earlier onsets of drinking have been linked to increased risks of alcohol and drug problems later in life. It has also been shown that availability of alcohol to young people increases the likelihood of injuries through road traffic accidents. It is recommended that vendors be given training in the ability to judge young people's age correctly and to encourage them to err on the side of caution.