CHILDREN as young as five should be taught about the dangers of alcohol misuse, a leading figure in the drinks industry said yesterday.
Waiting until they are in their early teens is leaving it too late to avoid the dangers of binge drinking, warned Richard Paterson, master blender with the Glasgow-based whisky company White & Mackay.
Mr Paterson says parents should follow the le
ad of countries such as France or Italy and gradually introduce children to wine or beer at mealtimes.
He is also calling on the Scottish Government to produce alcohol guidelines for teachers and parents, aimed at primary- age pupils.
But last night teaching unions and opposition politicians criticised the proposals, saying that five-year-olds were too young for such lessons.
Mr Paterson said: "By the time children reach secondary school, their behaviours are already well-established and views on alcohol embedded.
"The earlier we can educate children on the benefits of alcohol awareness, and explode the myths surrounding alcohol, the sooner we can work towards a greater understanding of the dangers of irresponsible drinking."
According to a guide produced by national agency Health Scotland, many children have already been exposed to alcohol and tasted their first drop at home by the age of seven.
However, the majority of parents do not start talking with their children about alcohol until they reach early teens.
Alcohol Focus Scotland says the number of 13-year-olds who drink alcohol has doubled since 1990. Meanwhile, almost half of 15-year-olds and a third of 13-year-olds reported having drunk alcohol in the past week.
Mr Paterson added: "With these statistics providing sobering reading, it is really important that parents and teachers become involved in influencing children's behaviour when it comes to drink."
Elizabeth Smith, MSP, Tory education spokeswoman, said:
"I have some sympathy for introducing lessons on alcohol for children in the top years of primary but five is far too young."
Ronnie Smith, general secretary of teaching union the Educational Institute of Scotland, said: "There has never been any agreement on what is the right age to teach children about such issues but explicit lessons at five is probably not a sensible way to proceed. It should be included along with drugs, tobacco and diet in the context of promoting good health."
Tina Woolnough, chairwoman of the support group Parents in Partnership, backed Mr Paterson's views.
"Children aged five and under are very aware of what is going on around them and a good number will have already witnessed adults under the influence of alcohol. I think five is an OK age to speak to children about alcohol – by the age of 12 it is far too late. But the most important thing is that they witness adults being responsible."
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "We're committed to enabling our young people make positive lifestyle choices and (help them] understand substance use and misuse from around Primary 5."
