Drop in underage pub drinkers

The number of underage drinkers who consume alcohol in pubs and bars has fallen to less than one in 10, government figures have revealed.

Among 11-15 year-olds who claim to drink alcohol in the on-trade, the proportion fell from 13 per cent in 1996 to seven per cent in 2008, the statistics showed.

However over the same period schoolchildren who drink at home rose from 52 per cent to 64 per cent and at parties with friends from 23 to 33 per cent.

Drinking outside, in places such as parks, among the age group increased from 21 per cent to 27 per cent.

However, the NHS Information Centre report showed that the number of school-age children who admitted to having drunk alcohol in the past week fell from 26 per cent in 2001 to 18 per cent in 2008.

Other findings from the study found that in 2008, 72 per cent of adult men were drinking within government guidelines - 21 units a week. For women, 80 per cent said they drank within safe guidelines - 14 units a week.

The figures showed a slight decrease in overall alcohol consumption, but a steady rise in alcohol related deaths to 6,769 in 2008.

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said: "While we should be concerned by the rise in alcohol related-deaths, it's clear government efforts to combat alcohol misuse should continue to be focused on the minority of people who drink excessively, not the vast majority who enjoy a drink in moderation."

But Chris Sorek, chief executive of charity Drinkaware, said it was "shocking" that alcohol-related deaths are again on the increase.

"And with a rise in prescription items dispensed to treat drink dependency - it's vital now, more than ever, that we act to educate people on the effects of drinking too much before more people come to harm," he added.