Alcohol and the young. Summary of a report of a joint working party of the Royal College of Physicians and the British Paediatric Association.

Drinking alcohol is an accepted and pleasurable part of social life. Most adults have at least an occasional drink with friends and, apart from those who may abstain for religious and other reasons, many would expect alcohol to be provided at a family celebration or a party. Yet, as is well known, alcohol in excess can kill. As has already been highlighted by four major reports it can affect an individual even before birth, and is responsible for significant ill health and unhappiness, destroying careers and wrecking family life. Heavy alcohol consumption sometimes begins in adolescence. It is therefore important both to educate young people about alcohol so that they can take informed decisions and to protect young children from its harmful effects.