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Abstract
Background: Worldwide alcohol consumption is involved in 2.5 million deaths annually. Worryingly, the age of alcohol initiation may be decreasing; evidence suggests an inverse correlation between initiation and prevalence of alcohol use. European data are limited.
Methods: Data are from a survey (n = 2638) on alcohol consumption of ≥18 y in England. Univariate and multivariate associations are reported between demography, last year alcohol consumption, historic drinking including having regularly drank alcohol <18 y (drank at least monthly), and experience of at least one serious alcohol-related problem (self-defined).
Results: Lifetime alcohol consumption was reported by 93.2% of participants. Of these, 36.1% reported regular consumption <18 y; 18–30 y had a threefold greater odds of reporting alcohol consumption <18 y than 61–75 y. In total, 5.2% reported at least one serious alcohol-related problem; those who had regularly consumed alcohol <18 y had a twofold greater odds of reporting this than those who had not.
Conclusion: Our sample supports a potential increase in the proportion of those reporting underage alcohol initiation. As those who regularly consumed alcohol <18 y were at risk of experiencing alcohol-related problems, incidence of harm could increase over time as early initiators start to experience harms, supporting the need for interventions to delay alcohol consumption in underage groups.
Declaration of interest
The material has not been published elsewhere. This article is not being considered for publication elsewhere. All authors have been personally and substantially involved in the work leading to this article and will hold themselves jointly and individually responsible for its content. Relevant ethical safeguards have been met in relation to the confidentiality and consent of the patients involved in the research. The authors report no conflicts of interest. This work was funded by Alcohol Research UK.