‘Generation Sensible’ shun binge drinking

THE number of young binge drinkers has fallen dramatically since the turn of the millennium, according to a study.

The proportion of those in their late teens and early twenties who bingedrink once a week has fallen from well over a third in 2002 to barely a quarter.

Among 16 and 17-year-olds, the decrease is even greater. Only 6 per cent ‘binged’ each week in 2016, compared with 30 per cent in 2002.

Binge drinking is defined as consuming more than six units of alcohol in a session – three standard 175ml glasses of wine or three pints of 4 per cent strength beer.

The study by academics at Sheffield University is fresh evidence of the emergence of a ‘Generation Sensible’ turning its back on many of the habits of its parents. There have also been large falls in numbers smoking or taking drugs.

The report, based on large-scale Whitehall surveys, said children in 2016 were likely to taste alcohol for the first time after their 12th birthday. In 2002, the first drink was likely to be at 11.6 years.

Only 44 per cent of teenagers under 15 had ever had an alcoholic drink in 2016, compared with 61 per cent in 2002.

The researchers also said the share of people aged 18-24 who had used cannabis fell from 17 per cent in 2002 to 11 per cent in 2016. Meanwhile, the proportion of those smoking tobacco dropped from 38 per cent in 2002 to 17 per cent in 2016.

Dr Melissa Oldham, lead author of the study from the university’s Alcohol Research Group, said: ‘It may be that increases in internet use and online gaming are changing the way young people spend their leisure time.’