A survey carried out by The Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that 20% of  13-16 year olds questioned admitted to having got drunk by the time they were 14.  The figure rose to 50% by the age of 16.

Peer pressure from friends was given as a reason for drinking however researchers for the Ipsos Mori poll also found that a significant factor was poor parental supervison.  The survey found that teens who see their parents drunk are more likely to mimic this behaviour and drink drink excessively themselves.

The study involved a survey of 5,700 teenagers aged 13-16  in schools in England.

A new report published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) concludes that people who binge drink are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease in comparison to more moderate drinkers.  The study was carried out by French and Irish scientists who wanted to look at the difference that drinking habits have on the heart.  The results were based on a study involving 10,ooo men from both countries.  The scientists were able to conclude that the average level of consumption for each group was the same however the drinking patterns differed.  In Ireland 9% of  the men within the study admitted to binge drinking compared to France where the figure was 0.5.

The official guidelines in the UK state that women should not exceed 1-2 units per day and for men the limit is 3-4 units.  It is considered a binge if a person exceeds these levels at least one day a week.

Alan Johnson, Labour’s last Home Secretary has admitted and apologised for his party’s failure to tackle binge drinking during his tenure.  He said:  ‘I regret not doing more to tackle the problems caused by binge drinking during my period in office. The Government is right to stop alcohol being sold below cost price. It’s something we should have done.’  Labour has been condemned for introducing 24-hour drinking (Tony Blair) and reducing alcohol-related taxes by £200million (Gordon Brown).

Johnson’s successor Theresa May has been commended for plans to prohibit shops from selling alcohol below cost price.

Mr Johnson said: ‘I regret not doing more to tackle the problems caused by binge drinking during my period in office. The Government is right to stop alcohol being sold below cost price. It’s something we should have done.’

Well done to Professor Ian Gilmore who has been knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his role in campaigning for measures to tackle alcohol misuse and calling for changes to include a ban on alcohol advertising.

Investigations into the factors behind binge-drinking will be discussed at a free public lecture given by Professor Christine Griffin at the University of Bath this Thursday, looking at young people’s attitudes to alcohol.

Professor Griffin led research which suggests a radical re-thinking of national alcohol policy is required to take into account the social character of alcohol consumption and the identity implications for young people.

“Getting very drunk with friends often insulates young people from viewing their level of alcohol consumption as a potential problem, deepening bonds of friendship and cementing group membership. Campaigns that aim to change young people’s drinking habits need to take the social importance of drinking into account, as well as the pervasive availability of cheap deals on alcohol.

She will be joined by Dr Tess Ridge, from the university’s Department of Social & Policy Sciences, who will present Voices from the Margins: children’s accounts of the impact of poverty on childhood.