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The use of alcohol is legal but it is controlled by laws which decide who can use it and where and when it can be used. This project is about finding out what the law says about the use of alcohol and whether you think there is anything that could be changed about it.

First make a list of all the statements that the law makes about the use of alcohol. For instance here are some examples from English law:

• It is an offence to give alcohol to anyone under 5 years of age unless it is for medical reasons
• It is illegal for someone under 14 to be in a pub unless the place has a Children's certificate
• It is illegal to be drunk in a public place including pubs
• It is legal for a 16 year old to buy beer, lager, cider or perry (but not wine) in a pub if they are eating a meal served not at the bar
• It is illegal for someone under 18 to buy alcohol from an off-licence

Once you have found out the laws on the use of alcohol in England you could try to look at the differences in other parts of the UK and say what you think about them, for instance:

• What differences are there in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
• Do you think there are parts of the law that need changing?
• Why do you think they should change?

You could also research the laws on the use of alcohol in other countries like the United States where in several states it is forbidden for under-21s to buy alcohol.

Write a report on your findings. Give the reasons for and against changing the law, explain what happens in other part of the country and abroad and conclude by expressing your views about possible changes in the law.

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