In a survey of 83,000 school pupils in the UK which was recently undertaken children as young as 12 claimed they drank the equivalent of 19 glasses of wine per week.

The BBC reports:

Of those aged 12 or 13 questioned by the Schools Health Education Unit, 4% claimed they drank 28 units or more – more than the weekly adult guidelines.

The annual review raised concerns about youngsters’ eating and sleeping habits but found fewer smoking.

The government says it is cracking down on those who sell alcohol to children.

A Department of Health spokesman said its drug strategy included measures to prevent alcohol misuse by young people.

“Children under 15 shouldn’t be drinking at all,” he said.

“We are… doubling the maximum fine for under-age alcohol sales to £20,000 and extending the period of voluntary closure that can be given as an alternative to prosecution for persistent under-age selling from 48 hours to two weeks.”

‘Specialist support’

Data collected from pupils in years six, eight and 10 indicated that 11% of year 10 pupils – aged 14 to 15 – drank more than 10 units of alcohol in the last week. However, fewer children said they had been drunk in the preceding week than in previous surveys.

Three units equates to two small (125ml) glasses of wine (12%) or a whole pint of strong lager (5%) or cider, according to the advice charity Drinkaware.

Simon Antrobus, chief executive of drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity Addaction, said the figures confirmed its workers’ experiences.

“Children who drink at younger ages are the ones who need help most. We also know that children whose parents misuse alcohol are more likely to develop their own problems later in life,” he said.

“It is essential that these children, and their families, have access to specialist support at the earliest possible opportunity.”

To read the full story on the BBC website, view HERE.