Social Life
Going out is what it's all about, and many of us get the balance right, but are the things you do when you're out and about affecting the rest of your life?
It's not only your health that can suffer when you abuse alcohol or drugs.
You can get into a lot of trouble with drink-driving, possession, dealing, underage smoking/drinking and addiction
We can advise you in a non-judgemental way if you have problems, and find you help if that's what you want.
Alcohol
It is an offence to give alcohol to a child under five years of age unless it is given by a doctor on health grounds.
A child aged five or over and under 16 can drink alcohol on private premises, for example, at home.
A child under 14 cannot normally go into a pub or other licensed premises where alcohol is sold and consumed during opening hours unless s/he is the landlord's child or lives on the premises. However, a publican can apply for a Children's Certificate which will allow children under 14 to be taken into a pub by an adult. Children would normally have to leave by 9pm.
A young person aged 14 or 15 can go into a pub but cannot buy or drink alcohol there.
A young person aged 16 or 17 can buy or drink wine, beer, cider or perry (but not spirits) with a meal in a hotel, restaurant or part of a pub set apart for eating meals. S/he can also buy liqueur chocolates.
It is an offence for a person under 18 to buy alcohol and/or drink alcohol in a pub - but see above.
It is an offence for a person to buy alcohol on behalf of a person under 18 to be drunk on licensed premises. It is also an offence to buy alcohol on behalf of a person aged under 18 to be drunk outside of licensed premises, for example, in the street. However, if it is bought on behalf of a person under 18 to be drunk on private premises, this is allowed - see above.
A person working in a pub will be committing an offence if s/he knowingly sells alcohol to a person under 18, or allows a person under 18 to drink alcohol in a pub - except with meals (see above). S/he will have a defence if s/he can prove that s/he had no reason to suspect that the person was under 18.
If a police officer suspects a young person of possessing alcohol (or something they believe to be alcohol) in a 'relevant place', s/he can confiscate it. A 'relevant place' is any public place (except licensed premises) or a place to which someone has gained access unlawfully.
A police officer can also confiscate alcohol, or what s/he thinks may be alcohol, from a person of any age if s/he suspects some of it has been drunk, or is intended to be drunk, by someone under 18 in a relevant place. A police officer can arrest anyone who tries to prevent her/him confiscating what s/he believes to be alcohol.
Driving
There are rules about the age at which a young person can drive a particular type of vehicle.
For example, a young person can ride an electrically assisted pedal cycle from the age of 14, a moped or invalid carriage from the age of 16 and a motorbike, car or certain classes of van and lorry from the age of 17.
No driver is authorised to supervise a learner driver until s/he is 21.
A young person who drives a vehicle when s/he is 17 must have third party liability insurance, even though s/he cannot usually enter into a contract until s/he is 18.
Films & Videos
Film classification
There are restrictions on what films a child or young person can see in a cinema. The British Board of Film Censors issues certificates for all films as follows:- U (universal) suitable for all ages PG unaccompanied children are admitted but parental guidance needed as some scenes are deemed unsuitable for young children 12 no one under the age of 12 will be admitted 15 no one under the age of 15 will be admitted 18 no one under the age of 18 will be admitted
In addition to these restrictions, a cinema manager has discretion over admission of any member of the public. In general, children under five outside London and under seven in London will not be allowed in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.
Video classification
Most pre-recorded English language videos have to be classified and labelled according to their suitability for viewing by different age groups. The classification categories are Uc (universal) particularly suitable for children U (universal) suitable for all ages PG (parental guidance) for general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children 15 only suitable for people aged 15 years and over. Not to be supplied to anyone below that age 18 only suitable for people aged 18 years and over. Not to be supplied to anyone below that age Restricted 18 only to be supplied in licensed sex shops to people aged 18 and over.
It is an offence to supply a classified video to someone who is below the age specified in the classification.
It is an offence to supply an unclassified video unless it is an exempted work.
Cigarettes
A child or young person of any age can smoke cigarettes in private. However, it is an offence punishable by a fine to sell tobacco, cigarettes or cigarette papers to anyone under 16.