Alcohol, children and young people

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  • In the most recent survey of drinking among European 15 and 16-year-olds more Irish girls (44%) than boys (42%) reported binge-drinking in the last month (ESPAD 2007)
  • Over half (54%) reported being drunk at least once by the age of 16
  • The survey identified “a major issue around drunkeness”  
  • A recent report by the Office of Tobacco Control (2006) revealed that Irish 16 to 17-year-olds spend an average of €20·09+ per week on alcohol. This amounts to an illegal alcohol market of €145m in this country