What does the law say about buying and drinking Alcohol?
Buying and selling alcohol
It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of18.
It is also ILLEGAL for adults to attempt to buy alcohol for anyone under the age of18.
Drinking Alcohol
At home:
It is illegal for children under 5 to drink alcohol at home.
Above this age, children must have parental permission to drink alcohol at home.
Drinking Alcohol
In a pub:
Under 14s can only go in pubs that allow children to enter with an adult but they must stay in the garden or family room.
They cannot drink alcohol!
Under 16s can only enter a pub with an adult.
They cannot drink alcohol!
Drinking Alcohol
16 or 17 year olds can enter a pub with an adult and the adult can buy them a drink (not spirits) to have with a meal
Drinking in public places
Only people over 18 can drink in public. No one is allowed to drink alcohol in alcohol free zones. These are areas in some towns where no-one can drink in public places. Police can confiscate alcohol that is being drunk by under 18s in public.
Drunk and Disorderly
There are also laws about being drunk and disorderly in public places.
If arrested offenders are usually issued with a fixed penalty for £80.
Offenders can also be sent to court where they could face a fine of up to £5000.
Drink Driving
In the UK, the alcohol limit for drivers is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
In most European countries, the limit is less, usually 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Never accept a lift from someone who has been drinking alcohol
Drink Driving – Penalties
Anyone caught over the alcohol limit when driving will be banned from driving for at least 12 months, and fined up to £5,000.
You can also be sent to prison for up to 6 months.
If you are caught drink driving more than once in a 10 year period, you will be banned for at least 3 years.
