Children 'should be alcohol-free before they are 15'
18 December 2009 00:00 in Medical Government/ NHS related news
Children should completely avoid alcohol until they reach the age of 15, it has been asserted.
Sir Liam Donaldson, England's chief medical officer, has published final guidance on alcohol and young people.
The Department of Health said that Sir Liam's guidance is based on the most comprehensive review of scientific evidence available and also follows the completion of a public consultation.
Parents were asked to give their views on draft guidance that was published in January and the majority welcomed the focus that it placed on the health risks that drinking alcohol posesto children.
Sir Liam, who is due to retire from his position in 2010, said that the country's "serious alcohol problem" has been caused by a number of factors, including a lack of parental supervision for children and failing to engage with them as they grow older.
"The overwhelmingly positive response to the guidance has shown that this is a major issue for parents and carers. They want more information to support them in talking to their children about alcohol," he added.
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