Early-onset drinking in Ireland: negative outcomes and behaviours

Abstract

The age at onset of drinking alcohol in Ireland has decreased steadily over the last 70 years. According to a recent Irish survey, the average age at which individuals first consume an entire alcoholic beverage (i.e. not a sip or taste) is between 13 and 14 years. Furthermore, alcohol consumption in Ireland increased from 7.72 l of pure alcohol/person in 1972 to 14.34 l/ person in 2002, despite decreasing levels of alcohol consumption in the rest of the European Union over this period. The significance and pervasiveness of early-onset alcohol use and misuse is thus a pressing issue, particularly in Ireland.