A recent report by global health experts has revealed alarming statistics about alcohol consumption among teenagers in England. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a third of 11-year-olds and more than half of 13-year-olds in England have already consumed alcohol, making it the highest rate out of 44 countries studied.
The report also highlighted that girls were more likely than boys to drink and get drunk by the age of 15 in England, Wales, and Scotland. Dr. Jo Inchley, the study coordinator from Glasgow University, expressed concern over the trend of children starting to drink at a young age, emphasizing the long-term health effects of alcohol consumption.
One individual, Harriet Strange, shared her personal experience of starting to drink at the age of 14, influenced by her father’s alcoholism. She described her journey of self-destruction and eventual sobriety, crediting her daughter for saving her life.
In addition to alcohol consumption, the report also addressed the rising rates of vaping among teenagers, surpassing cigarette smoking in most countries. Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, emphasized the need for countries to implement measures to protect younger generations from harmful substance use, including limiting the availability of nicotine and tobacco products and banning advertising and promotion on mainstream and social media.
The findings of this report serve as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing underage drinking and substance use to safeguard the health and well-being of adolescents.