Children, young people and alcohol

Although it's illegal in Britain for anyone under the age of 18 to buy alcohol or drink it in licensed premises, a thousand under-15s are admitted to hospital every year with alcohol poisoning.

Children, young people and alcohol - the law

It's against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence or supermarket.
It's against the law to give an alcoholic drink to a child under the age of five (except in special circumstances, for example, under medical supervision).
It's against the law for unaccompanied children under 16 to be in the bar area of licensed premises.
Teenagers aged 14 and 15 can go anywhere in a pub but cannot drink alcohol.
Young people aged 16 or 17 may drink (but not purchase) beer, wine or cider with a meal on licensed premises provided they are accompanied by someone over18.