Children and Young People Now have been out to interview some young people about alcohol. Here’s a few of the quotes:
“A lot of kids I grew up with used to buy Lambrini or White Lightning particularly as it’s so cheap. But it’s also a low alcohol content* so you were less likely to have your ID checked than if you bought a bottle of vodka. Shopkeepers are more vigilant now” – Kirby, 20, fashion editor, The Cut youth magazine
“This [raising the duty on alcohol] I believe would have a greater impact on preventing young people drinking, as they wouldn’t be able to afford it. However, some young people get alcohol off their parents, so this wouldn’t have an impact on those” – Natalie North, 17, UK Youth Parliament representative, Yorkshire and Humber
Asked about public health campaigns:
“Some graphic pictures of what alcohol does to your liver might work. They did something similar with STIs and to be honest, it shocked a few people I know who were having unprotected sex” – Mikey, 18, Lincolnshire
“I would listen to someone who is qualified. The sort of information that would stop people drinking would be knowing the effects on organs and other risks” – Kamel Cherkoiai, 17, Westminster Youth Council
“Truth be told, if young people are going to drink, there is very little they are going to listen to – and it’s time that politicians realised this” – Joe Bell, 17, UK Youth Parliament trustee, London
Asked about banning alcohol advertising:
“I think it would have some impact because it will make them consider cutting down” – Niamh Dunphy, 16, Westminster Youth Council
“It won’t affect the young people who go to bed later than 9pm” – Amie-Rose Long, 16, Westminster Youth Council
“I doubt that by doing this young people will be drinking less alcohol. There are still other forms of influence that can cause young people to drink” – Abi Barber, 15, UK Youth Parliament representative, East of England region
Asked about enforcement:
“Crackdowns, confiscation of alcohol and no-drink zones won’t stop young people because they won’t care about them” – Kamel Cherkoiai, 17, Westminster Youth Council
Asked about what would stop young people drinking:
“Rehabilitation for young people, teaching them how to drink responsibly” – Niamh Dunphy, 16, Westminster Youth Council
“To stop young people drinking there needs to be more things to do. I can’t go into my local park because of the druggies there. More activities would stop the boredom that makes young people drink” – Shannon Frame, 13, London
“I do not think that there is a simple way of completely stopping young people from drinking” – Abi Barber, 15, UK Youth Parliament representative, East of England region
* As I’m sure readers of this blog will be aware Lambrini and White Lightning are about 7% abv.
Filed under: alcohol , young people's voices
