Teenagers who binge-drink 'twice as likely to be convicted criminals by 30'

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The long-term study covering thousands of British youngsters found those who were regular binge drinkers at 16 were far more likely to become drug users or alcoholics, leave school with no qualifications, become homeless or suffer mental illness.

There is deepening concern over the binge-drinking culture, and the involvement of increasingly young children.

Researchers studied data from 11,000 individuals born in 1970, who were interviewed repeatedly as they grew up.

At 16 around one in four were regular drinkers and one in five were binge-drinkers - consuming four or more drinks at least twice a week.

By the age of 30 the study found startling links between teenage heavy drinking and serious problems in adult life.

Young binge drinkers were almost twice as likely (90 per cent) to have acquired criminal convictions by their 30th birthday.

They were 60 per cent more likely to be alcoholics, and 70 per cent more likely to be regular heavy drinkers.

There was a 40 per cent greater chance of their using illegal drugs, and a similarly heightened risk of mental health problems.

Those who drank most heavily aged 16 were also 40 per cent more likely to have been expelled from school and 30 per cent more likely to have no qualifications.

Researchers adjusted the data to take account of the subjects' social background but the strong link between binge-drinking and problems later in life remained unchanged.

The report's authors from the Institute of Child Health in London suggested the impact of teenage drinking was so marked because it came at a crucial point in an individual's social, physical and mental development.

Frank Soodeen, of Alcohol Concern, said: "The study confirms the view that early alcohol misuse can effectively haunt a young person well into adulthood."

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "This is yet more evidence of the real harm alcohol can do to young people and society."

Addiction expert Professor Martin Plant, of the University of the West of England, blamed the availability of cheap alcohol.