Do you allow your teenage children a beer or a glass of wine with a meal?
Many parents may feel there's no harm in now and again giving a small alcoholic drink to their teenagers.
But how old should your child be before you start allowing them a drink?
The law says that if you're 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink beer, wine or cider if you're out eating a meal at a restaurant or other licensed premises.
It is, of course, against the law to give alcohol to children under five.
However, it's not actually illegal for a child aged five to 17 to drink alcohol at home or on other private premises.
This is not because drinking at a young age is considered all right, it is more because alcohol consumption in the home is unregulated.
But all experts recommend an alcohol-free childhood and urge people to prevent underage drinking.
The gov.uk website says: "You can be stopped, fined or arrested by police if you’re under 18 and drinking alcohol in public.
"If you’re under 18, it’s against the law - for someone to sell you alcohol, to buy or try to buy alcohol, for an adult to buy or try to buy alcohol for you to drink alcohol in licensed premises (such as a pub or restaurant).
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"However, if you're 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal.
"If you're 16 or under, you may be able to go to a pub (or premises primarily used to sell alcohol) if you’re accompanied by an adult. However, this isn’t always the case. It can also depend on the specific conditions for that premises."
According to UK Chief Medical Officer guidance, if youngsters drink alcohol, it should not be until at least the age of 15.
And if young people aged 15 to 17 consume alcohol, it should always be with the guidance of a parent or carer or in a supervised environment.
"Parents and young people should be aware that drinking, even at age 15 or older, can be hazardous to health and that not drinking is the healthiest option for young people," they say.
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"If 15 to 17 year olds do consume alcohol, they should limit it to no more than one day a week."
Alcohol education charity Drinkaware reiterates that drinking at a young age can pose health risks.
A spokesperson said: "Alcohol is harmful to children. The UK Chief Medical Officers advise that an alcohol-free childhood is the best option.
"Health risks associated with drinking during childhood and adolescence, as for adults, include the possibility of acute alcohol poisoning, which can cause low blood sugar, seizures, greater chance of accidental injury, of being involved in violence and of ending up in vulnerable or dangerous situations.
"All of these contribute to underage drinkers being admitted to hospital as emergencies, which can happen after drinking very modest amounts of alcohol, by adult standards.
"Drinking regularly during childhood and young adulthood can cause permanent brain and liver damage to these developing organs, and children's educational attainment can be adversely affected, resulting in lifelong negative impact on their potential.
"People who start drinking at a young age are also more likely to have alcohol problems as an adult.
"Parents, guardians and teachers are encouraged to talk openly with children about the serious risks associated with drinking as soon as they could be exposed to alcohol, either in or outside the home."
For more advice from Drinkaware, visit this website or for Chief Medical Officer guidance click here.
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