Young people and their parents are both shirking responsibility for underage drinking problems, according to a new report released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Most shift the blame to others despite the fact that they are aware of the issue, with youngsters also confident they can drink responsibly, it found.
It also said parents believe that the problem is down to youth culture instead of something they can actively solve.
The report claimed: “The vast majority of children, young people and parents interviewed believed that they (or their children) can gain control of alcohol: because they are aware of both the positive and negative effects of alcohol and feel they have the knowledge and disposition to manage these.”
And there is an “acceptance” of alcohol use as people do not want to think of it as a drug, the paper said.
More than 250 young people aged 10 to 18 were questioned for the study, along with 94 adults and carers.
James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said this week that more alcohol buyers are being asked for identification in shops.
