A study published by Alcohol Concern, the national agency on alcohol misuse, has made a direct link between the amount of off-licenses in a area to the amount of underage drinkers. The research is based on figures relating to 2006-2009 in England and does not include London.
The study found that on average for every two off-licenses per 100,000 population, one under-18 year-old was admitted to hospital for drink related problems. In recent years the amount of off-license sales have increased as more people are drinking at home therefore the tendency is to consume more.
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, commented on the report by saying ”This research further underlines the need for a comprehensive alcohol strategy from the government, which tackles the affordability, promotion and the availability of alcohol.”
The Department of Health is due to publish a new alcohol strategy later this year