Alcohol is of course a drug in its own right, but the laws about young people and alcohol are different from the laws about other drugs.
In order to sell alcohol a business like a shop or a pub needs to have a license. This is a document which gives them permission to sell alcohol. Places which have licenses are known as 'licensed premises'.
You can not buy or knowingly consume (drink) alcohol on licensed premises.
You are not allowed in any place which is licensed mainly for the buying and drinking of alcohol on site unless you are with someone who is 18 or older.
You can go in to a restaurant which has a license to sell alcohol without someone who is 18 or older, but not between the hours of midnight and 5am and you can not buy or drink alcohol there.
You are not allowed to buy liqueur chocolates.
You are not allowed in any place which is licensed mainly for the buying and drinking of alcohol on site unless you are with someone who is 18 or older.
You can go in to a restaurant which has a license to sell alcohol without someone who is 18 or older, but not between the hours of midnight and 5am and you can not buy or drink alcohol there.
You are not allowed to buy liqueur chocolates.
You can buy or be bought beer, cider or wine, if you are having a meal at a table in a restaurant area and you are accompanied by someone who is 18 or over.
If you work in a place where alcohol is sold such a supermarket or corner shop you may only sell alcohol where the sale has been approved by a responsible person who is 18 or older.
You can not sell or supply alcohol to anyone under 18.
You can not sell or supply alcohol to anyone under 18.
Police officers are allowed to confiscate (take away) alcohol from anyone under 18
drinking it in a public place.
drinking it in a public place.
If you need to talk to someone about drinking alcohol or you are worried about a friend or member of your family who is drinking, you can call Drinkline on 0800 917 8282. The line is open 24 hours a day.
Norfolk based organisation The Matthew Project provides free, confidential, 'no-strings-attached' help for people with a drug problem (including an alcohol problem). The site contains clear information about different types of drugs, their effects and the risks involved in using them.
www.matthewproject.org
www.matthewproject.org
This is a national website aimed at young people, parents and professionals and contains lots of information about a wide range of drugs including alcohol.
www.talktofrank.com
www.talktofrank.com
There is also a useful page about alcohol and crime on the BBC website.
www.bbc.co.uk/crime/drugs/alcohol.shtml
www.bbc.co.uk/crime/drugs/alcohol.shtml
See also Staying Safe - Alcohol