Under 18s

Should children have any alcohol at all?

Research from theUSshows that the younger a person is when they start to drink, the greater their risk of alcohol-related problems later in life. On the other hand, there's also some evidence that when children do drink alcohol at a young age they're less likely to binge drink later, provided they drink moderately and under parental supervision.

The way teenagers' bodies handle drink depends on their physical size and stage of development. Usually, inexperienced drinkers don't know how getting drunk will affect them or how to cope, which means they're particularly vulnerable to accidents and injuries, as well as the dangers of alcohol poisoning.

18 years of age is the legal age at which a New Zealander may purchase alcohol, however teenagers are legally allowed to drink alcohol responsibly in certain situations.

Under the Sale of Liquor Act only a parent or guardian can purchase or supply alcohol to their child. Anyone else who sells or supplies alcohol to under 18s or to someone else supplying alcohol to under 18s can be prosecuted.

If you are under 18 and with your parent of guardian, you can:

• Drink at home or at a private function, such a family BBQ or 21st
• Go into supervised areas of some bars and pubs
• Drink in a public place, unless there is an alcohol ban.

If you are under 18 and not with your parent or guardian, you can’t:

• Drink in a public place
• Go into bars or pubs
• Buy alcohol or get an adult to buy it for you
• Carry fake ID or use someone else’s.

A person who is less than 18 can only be supplied with alcohol by their parent or legal guardian. “Parent or legal guardian” means exactly that. It does not include other family members including grandparents, uncles and aunties or older bothers or sisters. Neither does it include sports coaches or anyone else temporarily acting in the place of a parent.

If you're under 18 and would like to find out more about how alcohol affects you, why not visit the following sites?

www.urge.org.nz
www.alac.org.nz

If you are a parent and would like information on talking to your children about drinking, click here.