Scotland last night gave a cautious welcome to controversial
guidelines south of the border, stating that children under 15
should not drink alcohol at all, even under their parents'
supervision.
England's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said the
guidelines, published yesterday, would clear up some of the "mixed
messages" to parents about child drinking.
The guidance states that an alcohol-free childhood "is the
safest option" for children under 15, while those aged 15 to 17
should only drink with the guidance of a parent or carer, or in a
supervised environment. If teenagers in this age group drink, it
should be infrequent and certainly no more than once a week.
The report said the brains of children under 15 were still
developing and alcohol could cause serious damage.
"This guidance aims to support parents, give them the confidence
to set boundaries and help them engage with young people about
drinking and risks associated with it," he said.
A Scottish Government spokesperson did not rule out issuing similar
guidelines but probably without specific age limits.