Alcohol and the law

What the law says!

Under 5?

It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under 5 except under medical supervision in an emergency.

Under 14?

You cannot go into the bar of a pub unless it has a 'children's certificate'. You can only go into parts of licensed premises where alcohol is either sold but not drunk (eg a sales point for consumption away from the pub), or drunk but not sold (eg. a garden or family room).

14 or 15?

You can go anywhere in a pub but not drink alcohol.

16 or 17?

You can buy or be bought beer or cider to drink with a meal but not in a bar. In Scotland this applies to wine too.

Under 18?

Except for 16 or 17 year olds having a meal in a pub, it's against the law for anyone under 18 to buy or be sold alcohol in a pub, off-licence, supermarket or other outlet, or for anyone to buy alcohol in a pub for someone under 18. Police officers are allowed to confiscate alcohol from anyone under 18 drinking it in a public place.

Source NHS Borders website (external website) 2007