Parents' habits linked to underage drinking

Parents' drinking habits play a key role in shaping their children's attitudes towards alcohol consumption, according to research conducted on behalf of the drinks industry.

Meas, a group funded by the drinks industry which says its role is to combat misuse of alcohol, said surveys of parents and under-18s showed young people were more likely to drink regularly in homes where there was domestic drinking among parents.

In contrast to the results, however, hospital consultants yesterday stressed that the marketing and selling of drinks aimed at young people was also a significant factor.

Meas's chief executive, Ms Fionnuala Sheehan, said that while reasons behind the problem of underage drinking were not black and white, access to alcohol at home was a major issue.

"When parents drink, how they drink and why they drink all influence their children's attitudes to alcohol. It's a huge responsibility and parents need help," he said.

Meas's research, conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes Marketing Research, found most underage drinkers had parents who drank alcohol at home. However, the onset of underage drinking in homes without alcohol was much slower.

It also suggested that the lack of clear rules among parents on drinking for their children often undermined their intentions.

The study reported that alcohol formed a "small proportion" of expenditure among young people: €7, or 10 per cent, among all 12- to 17-year-olds.

"It is clear that the cost of alcohol cannot act as a deterrent, as teenagers are now quite affluent," the study suggests.

The study also indicated that alcohol advertising did not play a significant role in young people's attitudes towards alcohol.

Ms Sheehan, however, rejected suggestions that the results could be seen as an attempt to disassociate the drinks industry from the problem of underage drinking. She said Meas had many programmes involving the industry aimed at promoting responsible drinking.

Meas is funded and supported by a number of major drinks firms including Diageo, Beamish & Crawford, Irish Distillers and Heineken.

However, a number of hospital consultants dealing with the effects of alcohol yesterday said that while parents had an important role, the drinks industry also played a central role in shaping young people's drinking habits.

Dr Mary Holohan, director of the Rotunda Hospital's sexual assault unit, said: "No one can say there isn't evidence to suggest that advertising alcohol in a format that appeals to youngsters does not make a difference. There is plenty of evidence to suggest it does."

Dr Chris Luke, a Cork-based consultant of emergency medicine, said parents and the drinks industry had a responsibility.

"While no one can say the limitless flagging of drink is not having an effect on young people, parents' drinking habits can also have a major influence," he said.