Key role for parents on alcohol advice

Parents have a key role to play in shaping their children's approach to alcohol, a new report indicates.

But the report - Young People And Alcohol - Its Use And Abuse, published today by the University of Exeter - found that parents were largely unaware of how much alcohol their children consume. According to the report - based on questionnaires completed by more than 8,000 children aged 12- 15 - the main reasons children drink are to feel good and because their friends do. It also showed that alcopops are second in popularity only to beer and lager.

John Balding, director of the study, said: "Drinking habits are likely to be instilled at home, and parents need to recognise this." The report's conclusions recommended the formation of an "alcohol curriculum", for parents to use a point of reference when introducing their children to alcoholic drink.