Study urges lower drinking age

A report commissioned by police into young people's experiences of drink and drugs yesterday advocated lowering the legal age for buying alcohol in pubs from 18 to 16. The controversial study carried out by the University of Wales, Bangor, for North Wales police shows that about 70 per cent of 16-year-olds are drinking already. It suggests one way of taking them off the streets and allowing them to drink in a more controlled environment would be to let them into pubs with identity cards.

Landlords would also have to adopt a tougher attitude on the amounts of alcohol being sold to any individual. But the university researchers also suggest that the age at which teenagers can buy alcohol across the counter at off-licences should be increased.