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14/09/2006
Report recommends tightening of drug restrictions for youths
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) have called for controls such as raising duty on alcohol and increasing the legal smoking age from 16 to 18 in the 'Pathways to Problems' report published today.
The report takes a comprehensive look at the use of psychoactive drugs including tobacco and alcohol, by young people in the UK today.
It has been found that British 15-year-olds are among Europe's heaviest users of alcohol and tobacco. Of all the drugs, alcohol has shown the most recent growth in use and causes the most problems among young people in the UK
A proposal by the panel for a new lower drink-drive limit for young adults was ruled out by ministers.
Between a fifth and a quarter of 15-year-olds are regular smokers, half drink alcohol at least once a week and nearly a quarter have used illegal drugs in the past month, the panel said.
Among the measures it recommends are to ban alcohol advertising on TV and to prevent brewers sponsoring sports and music events.
A government spokesman said measures were already being taken to combat smoking and drinking among young people.
Smoking rates among children aged 11-15 had reduced to 9% in 2005, and consultation was already being done on raising the legal age to purchase tobacco from 16 to 18.
The report said excess drinking caused the most widespread problems and suggested cutting the alcohol limit for drivers under 25 to reduce accidents.
This would amount to reducing the legal limit from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood for motorists aged 17 to 25.
In response to the report, the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association said it backed moves preventing young people accessing tobacco, but it was up to the government to decide at what age the threshold should be.
A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said cutting the drink-drive limit to 50mg for all age groups would save 65 lives and 230 serious injuries a year on British roads.
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The report takes a comprehensive look at the use of psychoactive drugs including tobacco and alcohol, by young people in the UK today.
It has been found that British 15-year-olds are among Europe's heaviest users of alcohol and tobacco. Of all the drugs, alcohol has shown the most recent growth in use and causes the most problems among young people in the UK
A proposal by the panel for a new lower drink-drive limit for young adults was ruled out by ministers.
Between a fifth and a quarter of 15-year-olds are regular smokers, half drink alcohol at least once a week and nearly a quarter have used illegal drugs in the past month, the panel said.
Among the measures it recommends are to ban alcohol advertising on TV and to prevent brewers sponsoring sports and music events.
A government spokesman said measures were already being taken to combat smoking and drinking among young people.
Smoking rates among children aged 11-15 had reduced to 9% in 2005, and consultation was already being done on raising the legal age to purchase tobacco from 16 to 18.
The report said excess drinking caused the most widespread problems and suggested cutting the alcohol limit for drivers under 25 to reduce accidents.
This would amount to reducing the legal limit from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood for motorists aged 17 to 25.
In response to the report, the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association said it backed moves preventing young people accessing tobacco, but it was up to the government to decide at what age the threshold should be.
A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said cutting the drink-drive limit to 50mg for all age groups would save 65 lives and 230 serious injuries a year on British roads.
(DS)
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An estimated one in eleven children in the UK are living with parents who misuse alcohol, according to a report. Social care charity Turning Point said that children whose parents had alcohol problems often suffered behavioural, emotional and school-related problems.
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An estimated one in eleven children in the UK are living with parents who misuse alcohol, according to a report. Social care charity Turning Point said that children whose parents had alcohol problems often suffered behavioural, emotional and school-related problems.
15 June 2007
Report identified 'teen sex health crisis'
Alcohol, drugs and promiscuity are fueling a sexual health crisis among Britain's teenagers, a report has claimed.
Report identified 'teen sex health crisis'
Alcohol, drugs and promiscuity are fueling a sexual health crisis among Britain's teenagers, a report has claimed.
02 March 2009
Plans To Tackle Alcohol Abuse Announced In Scotland
Plans to ban two-for-one alcohol promotions and cheap supermarket booze have been outlined by the Scottish government today, to help tackle alcohol misuse.
Plans To Tackle Alcohol Abuse Announced In Scotland
Plans to ban two-for-one alcohol promotions and cheap supermarket booze have been outlined by the Scottish government today, to help tackle alcohol misuse.
12 June 2013
Charity Calls For Ban On Alcohol Advertising
Alcohol companies should be banned from advertising at sporting and music events, the charity Alcohol Concern has said. The ban would limit the exposure of young people to such advertising, as the charity claims that young people more readily recognise alcohol brands over ice cream and cake products.
Charity Calls For Ban On Alcohol Advertising
Alcohol companies should be banned from advertising at sporting and music events, the charity Alcohol Concern has said. The ban would limit the exposure of young people to such advertising, as the charity claims that young people more readily recognise alcohol brands over ice cream and cake products.
17 December 2009
Warning On Under-15s Drinking
England's top doctor has warned parents against giving alcohol to children under the age of 15. Launching guidance on the issue, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said public consultation found parents backed the ban on alcohol for under-15s.
Warning On Under-15s Drinking
England's top doctor has warned parents against giving alcohol to children under the age of 15. Launching guidance on the issue, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said public consultation found parents backed the ban on alcohol for under-15s.
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