JUNIOR MINISTER ROISIN Shortall is not in favour of letting underage teenagers drink at home. In an interview with Conor Pope of the Irish Times today, the minister of state at the Department of Health says that while some parents might think they were encouraging responsible drinking practices by allowing their teens to drink under their supervision, she believed that it could be unhelpful, if not harmful.

In 2009, the British Government’s chief medical officer Liam Donaldson – also looking at setting a minimum-price on alcohol – said that parents who allowed their children to have alcohol at home in the hope that it would promote sensible drinking were only giving them “a taste for it”.

What do you think? Is it irresponsible to let older teenagers (who are still under the age of 18) to drink at home?

Poll Results:

Maybe - it depends on the teenager/circumstance/amount imbibed (1720)

No, it's not irresponsible (966)

Yes, it's irresponsible (525)

I don't know (59)

No, it's not irresponsible
Maybe - it depends on the teenager/circumstance/amount imbibed
Yes, it's irresponsible
I don't know

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More

Poll: Is it irresponsible to let under-18s drink at home?

Poll Results:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.