Let pubs serve 16-year-olds
Pubs should be allowed to serve alcohol to 16-year-olds - that's the view of one of Britain's leading medical experts.
Professor John Ashton, director of public health and county medical officer, believes the best way to stop Britain's binge culture is to allow teenagers to drink under supervision.
I think it's better they are inside a pub with sanctions of normal behaviour, rather than outside in the park with no controlsProfessor John Ashton
"We need to let youngsters drink from the age of 16 legally," he told the Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service.
"I think it's better they are inside a pub with sanctions of normal behaviour, rather than outside in the park with no controls.
"We should be more practical about things - sometimes you have to forget your principles and do the right thing."
Last month, JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin also called for 16-year-olds to be allowed to be served in pubs.
He said: "It's more difficult for 16-year-olds to get in pubs so what they are doing is getting bought alcohol - usually by their parents 99% of parents of 16-year-olds allow them to drink - they are bought alcohol by their parents and the drinking is usually vodka and it takes place on the beaches and in the market squares.
"So the whole way the problem is being addressed is incorrect."
Dennis Griffiths, licensee at the Miners Rest in Barnsley, said he had mixed feelings over the idea.
"We are going back to the old argument," he said. "But now unless someone looks over 21 we have to ask for photo ID to check they are 18. So, it could cause problems in policing it.
"But the problem these days is there are no youth clubs or anything really for them to do. So the pub could be a part of their social life. If they were accompanied by their parents then the idea could work.
"I think parents have got to wise up though. They are the ones buying the alcohol from supermarkets for their kids."
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