Cider Industry Council: Over Reactions?

There has been much media attention focused on the issue of underage drinking, the problems associated with binge drinking and drunkenness and the recent ESPAD study which reports that Ireland has the highest incidence of underage drinking in the European Union.
So it this just media hype - hasn't underage drinking always been a problem?
No - today the problem is more serious than ever.

Whilst it is generally accepted that underage drinking has existed for many years, recent studies have revealed alarming results regarding:

	The age at which young people are beginning to drink

	The frequency of their drinking

	The frequency of being drunk

What are the main concerns?

The concerns most commonly expressed by parents and teachers are consistent with the research results on the issue i.e. they are most concerned about;

	The starting age getting younger and younger

	Young people, not just drinking, but getting drunk

	The inappropriate behaviour that occurs as a result of drinking

	Bad effects on schoolwork

	Consequences of drinking too much on health and lifestyle

	Drinking without adult supervision

Cider Industry Council, 3-4 Merrion Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Tel: 01-6694900, Fax: 01-6694907