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News
Number of young people who have never drunk alcohol rises
Data released by the NHS Information Centre shows that the proportion of young people aged between 11 and 15 who have never drunk alcohol has risen from 39% in 2003 to 55% in 2011.
Also, the number of those who drank alcohol in the last week of the survey has fallen from 26% in 2001 to 12% in 2011.
Information was obtained from 6,519 pupils in 219 schools throughout England in the autumn term of 2011.
Reaction to the news by the drinks trade has been positive.
WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “The continued decline in underage drinking is particularly welcome news.
“The increase in the number of young people who have never drunk alcohol and the fact that those who do drink appear to be drinking less, suggests that messages about the risks of underage consumption are being heard.
“This is why the industry continues to pour resources into initiatives to change attitudes to alcohol.”