The Telegraph in a wide ranging interview with Ed Balls get a clear message about underage drinking:
As his job title implies, he also sees himself as a “champion of the family” across the whole government. He is particularly proud of a scheme to be launched with Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, to crack down on under-age drinking — both legally in the home and illegally in pubs and clubs.
He says it is a “concern” that some supermarkets and off-licences have slashed the price of alcohol, bringing large quantities into the range of teenage budgets, and also admits the Government will have to “look at advertising”.
A scheme involving thousands of undercover teenagers sent by police to try to buy alcohol will be extended nationwide and for the first time guidelines will inform parents of the “safe” level of drinking for teenagers.
“When was 16 or 17, I would have a small glass of wine at lunch on a Sunday or a shandy or a Babycham at Christmas,” says Mr Balls.
“That’s fine — a lot of parents do that and that’s not where the problem lies; it’s where parents are allowing kids to consume substantial quantities of alcohol.
“We need to help parents get the balance right and put behind us the excessive drinking culture.”
As always with Mr Brown and his gang, the policy announcement is strategic, designed to make life difficult for Mr Cameron and the Tories by trampling on their territory. A crackdown on under-age drinking is bound to resonate with Middle Britain.
The issue of safe drinking and young people are also covered in the Daily Express and Metro.
I’m not certain that the guidance that comes out will provide the sort of safe drinking messages that adults get. So I’d be surprised if we see a message that says it’s safe for a seven year old to drink x units but if you are 15 you can drink y. But we’ll have to wait and see what the experts that government are getting together to look at the evidence have to say.
Filed under: alcohol
