The law on alcohol and under-18s

There are several laws relating to buying and consuming alcohol for under-18s.

The law across the UK includes a range of measures to protect young people’s health and wellbeing and keep them safe.

Laws affecting under-18s cover topics like schooling, employment, care and health. And given the impact alcohol can have on health - and development - for children, these include strict age-controlled laws that restrict buying and consuming alcohol.

There are good reasons why buying alcohol is illegal for under-18s. Alcohol can be harmful to children and young people, with health risks including acute alcohol poisoning, an increased risk of becoming involved in violence, and damage to still developing organs like the brain and liver.

That’s why the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) recommend that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option.

And the law also sets out when it is illegal for under-18s to consume alcohol. Keep reading this guide for the full picture.

It’s illegal for under-18s to buy alcohol anywhere in the UK.

Find out more about the medical advice for alcohol and under-18s

What the law says

Under 18s

Across the UK, if you’re under 18 it’s against the law:³

For someone to sell you alcohol
To buy or try to buy alcohol
For an adult to buy or try to buy alcohol on your behalf
To drink alcohol in licensed premises, like a pub or restaurant (although there is a limited exception for 16 and 17 year olds – see below)

In England, Scotland and Wales, it’s not illegal for someone between the ages of five and 17 to drink alcohol at home or on other private premises. But this does not mean it is recommended.

The best advice for young people’s health and wellbeing is an alcohol-free childhood. If children do drink alcohol (even though it’s not recommended), it shouldn’t be until at least 15 years of age.

Under-18s can be stopped, fined or arrested by police for drinking alcohol in public. The police also have the power to confiscate alcohol. Find out more about the law on drinking in public here.

Alcohol and teenagers

16- and 17-year-olds

Someone aged 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal at a licensed premises (except in Northern Ireland). But it’s illegal for people this age to drink spirits in a pub anywhere in the UK, even with a meal.

16- and 17-year-olds who work in a licensed bar, restaurant or shop can serve alcohol, as long as the licence holder or bar manager has approved the sale and it’s in line with any other restrictions set out in the license.⁴

Under-16s

Young people under 16 may be able to go to a pub (or premises primarily used to sell alcohol) if they’re accompanied by an adult. However, this isn’t always the case. It can also depend on:

The specific conditions for that premises - for example, young people may only be allowed in certain areas, or at certain times
The licensable activities taking place there

In Scotland, it’s also illegal for under-16s to buy liqueur confectionary (e.g chocolates).⁵

Under-14s

The law in Northern Ireland specifically states that ‘anyone under the age of 14 may only consume alcohol in a private house and only for medical purposes.’⁶

Under-5s

It’s illegal to give a child under the age of five alcohol.⁷

Regional differences in the law

The law is slightly different depending on which part of the UK you are in.

This guide is based on publicly accessible information from the websites of the governments across the UK (correct as of April 2022). For the most up-to-date advice, check the links below.

For more information about the law in England and Wales go to gov.uk
For information about the law in Scotland, go to gov.scot
For more information about the law in Northern Ireland, go to NIdirect.gov.uk

Consequences of breaking the law

Anyone convicted of illegally supplying alcohol to someone under 18 would face a criminal record and could have to pay a substantial fine. This applies to people running or working in a pub or shop, a parent or guardian, or anyone else.

Under-18s who consume alcohol illegally could also face a criminal record, or fine.

There are also other steps the police can take, without taking a case to court.

For example, if the police suspect someone under 18 has alcohol in a public place, they have the power to confiscate it. If young people get caught with alcohol they could face a social contract, a fine or arrest.

The police can also confiscate alcohol from someone, no matter what their age, if they believe it has been, or will be drunk by someone under 18 in a public place.

Parents and guardians can also be held responsible by the courts if their child repeatedly gets into trouble through alcohol possession or use.⁸

Getting a criminal record could affect future job prospects and make it more difficult to travel to countries like the USA.

What are the health effects of drinking for under-18s?

The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option.⁹ Alcohol use during the teenage years is related to a wide range of health and social problems.

Health risks for young people - which can happen after drinking very modest amounts of alcohol, by adult standards - include the possibility of alcohol poisoning, or of being involved in violence and of ending up in vulnerable or dangerous situations.

Drinking regularly during childhood and young adulthood can cause permanent brain and liver damage to these developing organs. It has also been shown to affect how well some young people do at school, which can result in lifelong negative impact on their potential.^10,11 People who start drinking regularly at a young age are also more likely to have alcohol related problems as an adult.¹²

However, if children do drink alcohol underage, it should not be until they are at least 15. If young people aged 15 to 17 years consume alcohol, it should always be with the guidance of a parent or carer or in a supervised environment for a one-off special occasion, for example, a toast at a special event.

How to talk to your children about alcohol