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Under 18
It is against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence, supermarket, or other outlet, or for anyone to buy alcohol for someone under 18 to consume in a pub or a public place. Some towns and cities have local by-laws banning drinking alcohol in public; under 18's cannot enter an off-licence alone in Northern Ireland |
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Aged 16/17
16 and 17 year-olds may drink beer, wine or cider with a table meal in relevant premises, where accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over. In all other cases, it is illegal for children under 18 to knowingly consume alcohol on relevant premises, or to buy or attempt to buy alcohol. |
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Under 16
It is unlawful to allow any unaccompanied child under the age of 16 to be present on authorised premises which are exclusively or primarily used for supply and consumption of alcohol on the premises. A child is defined as being accompanied by an adult if they are in the company of an individual aged 18 or over - a factual and unambiguous event. |
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Under 5
It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under five except under medical supervision in an emergency |
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- Police can demand an £80 on-the-spot fine from an under 18 buying or attempting to buy alcohol
- A fine may be demanded from someone over the age of 18 buying for a minor - up to £5,000
- An adult selling alcohol may be on-spot fined or face a fine up to £5,000
- Pubcos and retailers face licence suspension /revocation and fines up to £10,000
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