Young People & Alcohol

Young people are singled out for particular scrutiny given their relative social, emotional and physical immaturity. Furthermore, the lessons they learn during this period in their lives will shape their relationship with and attitude towards alcohol beverages as adults. As priorities in addressing young people and alcohol differ by country and by region, a number of approaches to this issue exist, as described below. These initiatives generally target young people between the ages of 12 and 25.

For a table detailing the minimum ages where purchases can be made, please visit the International Center for Alcohol Policy (ICAP)'s website.

Educating young people about the responsible consumption of alcohol beverages helps prevent underage drinking, reduces harmful drinking patterns and prepares youths for responsible drinking when they become adults.

• Independent Learning for Young People: Learning about alcohol and its effects outside of any formalized setting
• School-Based Initiatives: Incorporating alcohol and alcohol prevention into school curriculum
• Organised Events and Activities: Educating through events and activities aimed at shaping young people's attitude towards alcohol beverages

Strong family bonds and certain qualities such as resilience and high self-esteem in young people help promote responsible drinking attitudes.

• Conversations about Alcohol Consumption: Encouraging parent-child communication and effective parenting
• Strong Young People and Families: Building high self esteem in youth and promoting strong family bonds

Some youth are able to obtain alcohol beverages from retailers, friends, adults or their parents. In some countries, retailers are expected to make reasonable efforts to verify that an individual purchasing alcohol beverages is legally allowed to do so. A number of elements are involved in sales transaction. Other efforts focus on preventing parents and other adults from providing alcohol beverages to minors.

• Training: Reinforcing the necessity of age verification and teaching techniques to do so
• Identification Cards: Developing and implementing tools to verify customers' age
• Campaigns and Signage: Reminding salespeople and youth of their role in preventing illegal access to alcohol beverages
• Evaluation: Measuring age verification compliance rates and punishing retailers who make illegal sales
• By Proxy: Preventing parents and other adults from providing alcohol beverages to underage youth

In many countries, societal concerns have arisen over dangerous consumption patterns by youth – referred to as binge drinking in many nations. This issue is addressed in the responsible drinking section of the website.

Alcohol beverage marketing and advertising that is perceived to target youth has prompted calls in certain countries for restrictions. Producers and affiliated industry-sponsored organisations have introduced codes of practice aimed at reducing youth exposure to alcohol advertisements and marketing. Some trade organisations have review panels to ensure that when violations occur, appropriate action is taken. Such practices are covered in the marketing & advertising section of the website.