Crackdown on underage drinking

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Vendors will also be subjected to a "two-strikes" rule on selling booze to children as ministers seek to curb binge-drinking among teenagers.

Parents, meanwhile, are to be presented with new guidance about what age children should be allowed to drink, how much and under what kind of parental supervision.

The measures will be unveiled by Children and Schools Secretary Ed Balls today as part of a cross-Whitehall alcohol action plan.

Other moves include criminalising under-18s who refuse to stop drinking in the streets and court orders requiring their parents to step in.

The strategy comes amid heightened concern among voters about anti-social behaviour and alcohol abuse among younger people.

Government research shows that more than half of 15 and 16-year-olds (56%) have drunk heavily in the last month. Among 11 to 15-year-olds, the proportion drinking regularly has fallen but still stood at 21% in 2006.

More than a third (35%) of that age group who had drunk alcohol in the last four weeks had done so to get drunk.

Mr Balls said: "Tougher enforcement powers are needed to tackle under-age binge drinking but enforcement measures alone are not the solution.

"We need a culture change about drinking, with everyone from parents, the alcohol industry and young people all taking more responsibility. We need to fundamentally influence young people's behaviour and attitudes towards alcohol."