Alcoholic Drinks: Children and Young Children
(asked on 26th April 2024) - View Source
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help educate children on alcohol harm.
The Department for Education’s statutory guidance, Relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education, became mandatory in September 2020. Through this, education on drugs, alcohol, and tobacco became compulsory at state-funded primary and secondary schools, teaching children and young people how to manage influences and pressure, and keep themselves healthy and safe.
The Government also has an information and advice service called Talk to FRANK, which aims to reduce the use of substances and their harms, by providing awareness to young people, parents, and concerned others. Further information is available at the following link:
Guidance from England’s Chief Medical Officer for healthcare professionals is clear, that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option. The Department promotes these through online platforms such as NHS.UK website, the Talk to FRANK online resource, and the GOV.UK website. Local authorities promote these guidelines as part of their public health duties.