While teenagers will always want to get drunk, we as responsible adults should be doing everything in our power to prevent this (Teenagers will always get drunk – so why don’t we just serve them in pubs?, 10 September). We know that drinking as a teen alters brain structure, is damaging to the developing brain and is a predictor of lifelong issues with alcohol. Delaying alcohol consumption reduces these risks. Young adults are not as good at making safe decisions and alcohol further reduces this capacity, so they are more likely to be involved in life-changing injuries to themselves or others or death.
Therefore drinking as a young adult can have significant long-term costs to individuals and the wider community – for example, the strain on the NHS from binge drinking and the societal and economic cost of alcohol-use disorder. I don’t believe legislation requiring ID is about emulating the US, but I do think, as a trainee health psychologist, that the current legislation is far too lenient.
The US requires a minimum age of 21. I suggest this should also be implemented in the UK. It’s not about being a party pooper or assuming guidance will be followed or not, it’s about being made fully aware of the serious long-term health implications of alcohol consumption. Legislation on this for under-21s does exactly that. It is not safe for children or young adults to drink any quantity of alcohol.
Doran Lamb
New Alyth, Perth and Kinross
• The fair question Zoe Williams poses might perhaps be better framed as “Why don’t we serve teenagers in pubs in order that they don’t get drunk?” Current licensing law allows for 16- and 17-year-olds to drink wine, beer or cider in pubs if accompanied by an adult and eating a meal. Ergo, take your teenagers to pubs for a meal. This will help the hospitality industry while hopefully encouraging sensible drinking on a full stomach.
Tim Bennett-Goodman
London
