It is important to ensure you are not breaking the law. It is against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, supermarket or other licensed outlet in the UK. Adults are not allowed to buy alcohol for under 18s in licensed premises. The only exceptions are that, under present UK law, 16 and 17 year olds are allowed to drink beer, wine or cider during a meal in licensed premises with adults. Also, in Scotland 16 and 17 year olds do not need to have an adult present to buy beer, wine or cider with a meal.
Under 5? It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under 5 except under medical supervision in an emergency.
Under 14? With the new licensing law, it is now at the Landlord's discretion as to whether children are allowed anywhere in a pub. They cannot of course, buy or drink alcohol on the premises.
14 or 15? You can go anywhere in a pub, but cannot buy or drink alcohol.
Under 18? Adults are not allowed to buy alcohol on behalf of under 18's in a licensed premises. In the new licensing laws, the only exception is for 16 or 17 year olds who are allowed to drink beer, wine or cider at a meal out with adults, but they may not buy the alcohol themselves (except in Scotland - see above).
It is legal for anyone over 5 to drink alcohol. The restrictions apply to purchasing (under 18) and location - on licensed premises or in alcohol exclusion zones.
Police have powers to confiscate alcohol from under 18's drinking in public spaces (e.g. in the street or in parks). |
If you're under eighteen, you're advised not to drink because the body is less well equipped to cope with the effects of alcohol, physically and emotionally.
