Drinking ‘less of a problem among teens’

Trading standards bosses in the county interviewed 3,500 young people aged 14 to 17 across Lancashire to poll their views on drink.

Another 38 per cent admitted to “not being in control” when drunk.

But the same percentage of those polled also said they did not drink – a rise on the 20 per cent who gave that answer last year.

County Councillor Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health and wellbeing on the county council, said: “I hear a lot of people saying that most young people drink too much – but this is not the case.

“The figures show that fewer young people in Lancashire now drink compared to 2013, so it’s important that they’re not labelled as binge drinkers.

“The damaging effects of alcohol are well known and as well as being bad for your health, it can cause young people to do something they may regret later.

“We don’t want to spoil people’s fun, we just want to encourage parents to keep an eye on their children, and businesses to always ask those who look 25 or under for ID to prevent sales of alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.”

The survey was undertaken as part of Alcohol Awareness Week last week.

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