British children are the world's worst drinkers

Teens pose 'public health threat

- MARTIN BAGOT

CHILDREN in Britain drink more alcohol than youngsters in any other country, a survey found.

The World Health Organisation report also shows UK girls drink, smoke and vape more than boys.

Among 15-year-olds in the UK, over half of girls and around two-fifths of boys had drunk alcohol in the past 30 days. England had the highest rates of 11 and 13-year-olds who had tried alcohol.

The decline in smoking over the past few decades has stalled, and there is evidence of a small increase in alcohol use among 15-year-old girls in England since 2018.