The Law
Did you know…
- Underage drinking on the streets is an illegal act. If you get caught you can be fined £50 on the spot!
- It is illegal to buy or attempt to buy alcohol in a bar for a person under the age of 18. The maximum fine for this is £1,000!
There are lots of laws around drinking, and it can get a little confusing. Often people can be breaking it - without even realising!
So here's exactly what you can and can't do to stay inside the law.
It's illegal to...
- Be in a pub or bar (including beer gardens) under the age of 14, unless they have a licensed 'family room'
- Buy alcohol from anywhere if you're under 18
- Buy alcohol for mates who are under 18
- Allow under 18's to consume alcohol when working in a licensed premise (e.g. an off license, supermarket or restaurant)
- Sell alcohol you've made at home (but it’s not illegal to make it)
- Sell alcohol to anyone under age. The actual sales assistant, the licensee and the company can be fined up to £5,000. It may also lead to the licensee losing their license.
It's legal....
- To enter a bar or pub and drink soft drinks, if you are 14 or over
- To be bought alcohol with a meal, if you are over 16
- To drink alcohol at home
- To ask any customer for proof of age, and refuse to serve alcohol if proof of age is not provided.
- For a Police Officer to confiscate alcohol from under 18s in public places.
