03/07/2009 - Teenage drink numbers on decline
The number of teenagers buying and drinking alcohol has dropped dramatically in the past five years, a new study has found.
A survey of 13,000 teenagers aged 14 to 17 in north-west England found that the number of youngsters drinking once a week had dropped from 50% in 2005 to 38% in 2009.
However, the study also reported that 25% of underage drinkers were considered heavy drinkers, consuming more than 20 units a week.
Richard Lindley, who worked on the survey, said: "The figures appear to substantiate that the underage sales operations by trading standards at retail premises are working.
"There has been a significant drop since 2007 of young people purchasing alcohol from shops and off-licences."
Mr Lindley said that the current campaign against underage drinking must be bolstered in order to remain effective.
The study, carried out on behalf of trading standards services, also found that almost half of those surveyed admitted that the sole reason for drinking was simply to "get drunk".
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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