WSTA rubbishes link between off-licence density and underage drinking

Published: 05 September, 2011

The WSTA has rubbished claims from Alcohol Concern that there is a link between off-licence density and alcohol harms in under 18s.

The alcohol charity is using its research to support its call for a health objective to be included in the Licensing Act, which would allow local authorities to refuse new licences to reduce alcohol-related harm in young people.

The research, commissioned by Alcohol Concern, shows that, excluding London, on average a 2:1 relationship exists between the number off-licences per 100,000 of population and hospital admissions by underage drinkers for alcohol specific admissions such as alcohol poisoning or intoxication. For every two off-licences per 100,000 of population there was one under-18 year old per 100,000 of population being admitted to hospital due to drinking according to the analysis, meaning that on average in areas with a higher concentration of off-licences, there are higher numbers of young people going to hospital as a result of drinking.

Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern said: "Local licensing committees are currently operating with one arm tied behind their backs. Current licensing legislation does not give licensing committees enough power to restrict high density of licensed premises. A new health objective should be included in the Licensing Act to enable local authorities to refuse new licenses in order reduce alcohol-related harm and protect young people."

But WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles said: "Alcohol Concern's claims are at odds with their own research which both questions the link between off-licence density and purchase of alcohol while also showing there has been a significant reduction in purchase of alcohol by under 18s, due in large part to the success of schemes such as Challenge 25. What's more the government's own figures show underage alcohol consumption has declined in recent years."

Citing a report from the NHS Information Centre, Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England 2010, Beadles said more young people are abstaining from alcohol. The proportion of 11-15 year olds who had never drunk alcohol increased from 39% in 2003 to 55% in 2010. In addition, those that have tried alcohol appear to be drinking less. The proportion of pupils who drank alcohol in the last week fell from a peak of 26% in 2001 to 13 per cent in 2010. The latest figure is five percentage points down on 2009, significantly lower. Also, just under a third of young people said it was acceptable for someone of their age to drink alcohol once a week, compared with 46% in 2003.

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