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Majority of Brits have bought alcohol while underage - but it is now far less common

<em>Over half of Brits have bought alcohol while underage (PA)</em>
Over half of Brits have bought alcohol while underage (PA)

Most Brits have bought alcohol while underage – but it is now far less common than it was for older generations, according to a new survey.

Over half (54%) have found a way to buy alcohol while underage, although just 38% of those currently aged between 18 and 24 have done so compared with 66% of those now aged 35 to 44, the YouGov poll of 2,037 people found.

Younger Britons are similarly less likely to have bought cigarettes while underage, at 20% of 18 to 24-year-olds compared with 36% of 25 to 34-year-olds and 45% of 35 to 44-year-olds.

<em>Some 20% of 18 to 24-year-olds have bought cigarettes while underage (Rex)</em>
Some 20% of 18 to 24-year-olds have bought cigarettes while underage (Rex)

Just 13% of all Britons have gambled while underage.

Michaela Coulton, research manager at YouGov Omnibus, said: “It is likely that these generational differences are influenced by a combination of increased enforcement by retailers and the government, and the fact that younger Brits are also less likely to drink and smoke than ever before.”

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The most common underage activity is watching an 18-rated film at home or at a friend’s house, with 79% of those old enough to have been affected by the age rating system having done so – more than twice as many who have blagged their way into a cinema to do so.

Almost half of Britons (47%) old enough to have been affected by the age rating system have played an 18-rated video game while underage, while 27% have bought one while underage.