Most children under 15 have never tried cigarettes or alcohol as underage drinking hits record low

Children under 15 are increasingly becoming the ‘clean cut’ generation has just one in six has ever had an alcoholic drink.

The findings, from the annual Health Survey of England, revealed that less than 16% of children aged between eight and 15 have had alcohol – a record low.

In 2003, 45% of children in the same age bracket who were surveyed reported having had a full alcoholic drink.

The survey of nearly 14,000 adults and children also shows that the number of children who have tried a cigarette before they are 16 is the lowest on record, at just 4% – compared to 19% in 2003.

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Public health organisations have welcomed the findings, saying stricter checks and education drives were making a difference.

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: “We welcome the continuing downward trend in children aged 8-15 being exposed to alcohol.”

Henry Ashworth, chief executive of the Portman Group, added: “It is welcome that underage drinking continues to decline and is now at its lowest recorded level.

“This indicates that the combination of robust ID schemes, life skills education and programmes to tackle underage drinking are having a real impact.”

Joanna Simons, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said: “It’s encouraging to see the downward trend continue in the number of young people who have ever drunk alcohol but worrying trends still remain.

“Regularly drinking above the recommended limits of 14 units a week, can lead to all sorts of health problems, mentally and physically.”

The survey proved less encouraging for adults, with with 31% of men and 16% of women drinking above the recommended limit of 14 units a week.

However, levels of smoking have continued to drop among adults, from 28% in 1998 to 18% in 2015.

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