"More education" says Kent charity as England 'tops the charts' globally for child alcohol use
The report was conducted by the World Health Organisation
Last updated 25th Apr 2024
A charity based in Kent says there needs to be more education as England 'tops the charts' globally for child alcohol use.
A report by the World Health Organisation has found that by the age of 11, 34% of girls and 35% of boys say they have drunk alcohol.
By the time they are 13, this number increases to 57% of girls and 50% of of boys who admit to underage drinking.
Then, at the age of 15, 53% of girls in England have drunk alcohol in the previous 30 days, compared with 39% of boys.
The Kenward trust deliver alcohol and substance education programmes for schools across Kent and Medway.
Their chief executive Penny Williams believes that a lack of education is to blame.
She said: "In our education system there is only an hour a year put towards education towards alcohol and drugs, which is nowhere near enough.
"There's so many young people who don't realise the impact of taking these substances so there needs to be more education than there currently is.
"Alcohol is such an addictive substances and the damage young people can do to their bodies, which are constantly growing and developing, by drinking is horrific.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) examined data from 280,000 children aged 11, 13 and 15 from 44 countries who were asked about their use of cigarettes, vapes and alcohol.
According to the research, the UK has more of an issue with under-age vaping than many other countries, with girls in the UK more likely to have used a vape by the age of 15 than the average for all 44 countries in the study.
The research showed that girls aged 13 and 15 in the UK tend to be drinking, smoking and vaping more than boys, with two-fifths of girls in England and Scotland having vaped by the age of 15.
In fact, the UK has more of an issue with under-age vaping than many other countries, with girls in the UK more likely to have used a vape by the age of 15 than the average for all 44 countries in the study.
Penny Williams said: "If a child wants to get hold of these things, there are always means. Whether that be from an older person that they know who can purchase it for them.
"It's very accessible, some children may even steal it from the house too."