Lesson video

Hello, my name's Ms. Willow, and I'm going to be a teacher for today's lesson.

Today's lesson is called "Alcohol and the Law," and it fits into the unit "Risky Substances: What do I need to know about alcohol?

" During this lesson, we are going to be talking about mental health and other sensitive content.

So for this lesson, we require you to have an adult with you.

If you don't have an adult with you at the moment, please come back to this lesson when you do have one with you.

And if at any point during this lesson, you do feel worried or uncomfortable, it's really important that you stop the lesson and that you speak to a trusted adult.

Okay, let's make a start.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to explain why people might choose to drink alcohol, the associated risks of alcohol, and the law surrounding it.

Before we get started with today's lesson, we need to go over some ground rules.

These help to make sure that everyone feels safe and comfortable during today's lesson.

First of all, Laura says that we need to listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should always listen properly before we make any assumptions or before we decide how to respond.

When we disagree with someone else, it's important to challenge the statement and not the person themselves.

Next, Andeep says that we need to respect each other's privacy.

We can discuss examples, but we shouldn't use any names or descriptions that could identify anyone, including ourselves.

If you want to share a story or an experience, we can refer to someone as my friend.

This means that we're not going to give away any identifying information.

Next, Jacob says no judgment.

We can explore any beliefs and misunderstandings that we have about a topic without fear of being judged by others.

And finally, Izzy says that we can choose our level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or to join in with discussion.

We should never put anyone on the spot.

We're now going to take a look at the keywords for today's lesson.

Our first keyword is legal age.

This is the minimum age at which a person is allowed to do something by law, such as purchasing alcohol.

Alcohol, this is a substance containing ethanol, which can impair judgment and coordination.

Underage drinking, this is the consumption of alcohol by someone who is below the legal drinking age.

Offense, this is a breach of a law or a rule and a legal act.

And finally, we have criminal record.

This is a list of a person's previous criminal convictions.

Today's lesson is split into three learning cycles.

Our first learning cycle is called, what is the law around alcohol in the UK?

Our second learning cycle is called, what are the consequences of underage drinking?

And finally, our last learning cycle is called, what is the impact of alcohol-related offenses?

Let's make a start on our first learning cycle.

What is the law around alcohol in the UK?

Lots of things in UK society have legal age limits, so films have age ratings ranging from universal, which means appropriate for everyone, to 18, which means only appropriate for adults.

You can drive a car once you're 17.

Many social media sites state that you have to be 13 to use them.

You can legally own a home at 18.

You can vote in elections at 18.

Alex asks, "Why do you think we have these age restrictions?

" Maybe you want to talk to people around you or have a think to yourself.

Okay, let's see what your answers could have been.

You could have said something like this.

Legal age limits exist to protect young people.

They're based on a young person's capability to make informed decisions.

Some films, substances, and activities are just not appropriate for young people, so the government enforces age restrictions to protect young people.

In the UK, the legal age of majority is 18, so the legal age of majority is the age at which you're legally considered an adult.

This means that the legal age to purchase alcohol in the UK is 18, while some families may allow older teenagers to have small amounts of alcohol at home in a safe environment, the UK's chief medical officers state that no alcohol is the safest choice for anyone under the age of 18.

This is because young people's bodies and brains are still growing, and alcohol can cause serious and lasting damage to their development.

Their legal age is set at 18 due to the risks associated with alcohol.

Alcohol is linked to increased violence.

It can cause alcohol poisoning if it's not consumed responsibly.

Alcohol can cause impairment in sensible decision-making.

Alcohol can cause damage to the liver and brain, and consuming alcohol over long periods of time can result in both physical and psychological harm.

Alcohol affects the part of the brain that controls inhibition, judgment, and decision-making.

Inhibition is the feeling of self-consciousness and being unable to relax and act naturally.

Alcohol can make a person feel more relaxed and self-confident.

However, this effect isn't the same for everyone.

Some people can feel more aggressive or emotional once they've had some alcohol.

Alcohol can also make a person feel unwell, particularly if it's consumed in large quantities.

Let's do another check for understanding.

The legal age to purchase alcohol in the UK is what?

A, 16, B, 18, or C, 21?

What is the legal age to purchase alcohol in the UK?

Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that the correct answer is 18.

The legal age to purchase alcohol in the UK is 18 years old.

People may choose to drink alcohol for different reasons.

Some people drink alcohol only socially, so this means with friends, to celebrate special occasions like a birthday or an anniversary or something like a graduation, because they enjoy the taste of alcohol, out of curiosity, or because people around them are drinking, to cope with difficult emotions such as feeling sad or stressed.

However, this isn't a healthy way to manage feelings and it can lead to problems.

If someone is struggling with difficult feelings, it's important to talk to a trusted adult or contact a support service like Childline.

Some people may feel that they're dependent on alcohol.

This is when a person craves alcoholic drinks and struggles to control the amount that they drink.

Alcohol dependency is a medical condition and people experiencing it should seek medical support and guidance, for example, from a doctor.

There are several risks for people who drink alcohol frequently over long periods of time.

It may result in high blood pressure, liver disease, cancer, memory disorders, depression, and addiction.

Some people may choose not to drink any alcohol at all.

This is due to a wide range of reasons.

For example, they just don't enjoy the feeling or the taste of alcohol, their religious beliefs, they're now in recovery, meaning that they previously drank alcohol but perhaps recognized a problem and have now stopped.

They might want to avoid the health risks that come with drinking alcohol.

They're are on certain medications like antidepressants or antibiotics and alcohol can affect these medications.

They're also pregnant or planning to become pregnant, so they're avoiding alcohol.

Let's do a check for understanding.

Is the statement true or false?

Consuming alcohol always makes people feel good.

What do you think?

Is this true or false?

Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that this is false, but why?

You might have said that alcohol can make people feel aggressive, sad, or emotional, and consuming too much alcohol can have a negative impact on their health.

Well done if you said something like this.

We're now moving on to our first practice task, and well done for your hard work in this learning cycle so far, I'd like you to label the image of alcohol with facts about the law around alcohol in the UK, why some people choose to drink alcohol and why some people choose not to drink alcohol.

And I'd also like you to write some facts about how alcohol affects people.

Pause the video and we'll go through what your labeled image might look like in a few minutes.

Okay, let's see what your completed image might look like.

It might look something like this.

The alcohol affects the part of the brain that controls inhibition, judgment, and decision-making.

Some people choose not to drink alcohol due to religious beliefs to avoid health risks or because they don't enjoy it.

Some people drink alcohol socially to celebrate or because they enjoy the taste.

The legal age to purchase alcohol in the UK is 18 to protect young people as their bodies and brains are still developing.

And some people may develop alcohol dependence, which is a medical condition requiring professional support.

Well done if your completed image looked a bit like this or had similar ideas from this learning cycle.

We're now moving on to our second learning cycle.

What are the consequences of underage drinking?

Underage drinking is the term used when people under the age of 18 consume alcohol.

So what does the law say about young people and alcohol?

It's an offense for anyone under 18 to purchase alcohol anywhere, to drink alcohol in public places, to drink alcohol at licensed premises.

So for example, at pubs, bars, clubs, or restaurants.

But there is one exception.

16 to 17 year olds can drink beer, wine, or cider with a table meal at licensed premises if they are accompanied by an adult.

However, medical experts still advise against this for health and development reasons.

The UK also has laws that restrict when under 18s can be in places where alcohol is sold.

Police Officer Kofi explains that, For example, many pubs and bars only allow under 18s even with an adult until 9:00 PM.

After this time, these venues typically stop serving food and focus on selling alcohol.

These restrictions help to reduce the likelihood of underage drinking.

Let's do a check for understanding.

Joe is 16 and wants to buy a bottle of wine from a supermarket.

Is this legal?

A, yes, because Joe is over 16, B, no, you must be 18 to purchase alcohol, or C, yes, if an adult is with Joe.

What do you think?

Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that B is correct.

No, this would not be legal.

Joe needs to be 18 to purchase alcohol.

Well done if you said the same thing.

Under 18s caught drinking alcohol in public can face being stopped and questioned by the police.

They can have their alcohol confiscated, which means taken away.

They can receive a fine, so they might have to pay a certain amount of money.

They could also be arrested.

If a young person is caught drinking in public three times.

Police can require them to sign a social contract.

This is an agreement setting out standards and conditions the young person must follow for up to six months.

Breaking this contract can lead to more serious consequences.

Some young people try to use fake identification, also known as a fake ID, to buy alcohol or enter licensed premises.

This is a serious criminal offense under the Fraud Act 2006.

Using a fake ID or borrowing someone else's ID can result in a fine of up to 5,000 pounds, and/or up to 10 years imprisonment.

To help prevent fake IDs being used, the government has introduced the Challenge 25 scheme.

This means that anyone who looks under 25 will be asked to show ID when buying alcohol.

Let's do another check for understanding what is the maximum prison sentence for using a fake ID?

Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that the answer is 10 years.

10 years is the maximum prison sentence for someone using a fake ID, so let's answer the question.

What about adults who supply alcohol to young people?

It's not just young people who face consequences.

Adults can also break the law if they sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18, if they buy alcohol on behalf of someone under 18 called a proxy purchase, if they allow under 18s to drink in their establishment.

If a shop, pub, or restaurant is caught selling alcohol to someone underage twice within three months, they can face a fine of up to 10,000 pounds, temporary closure, losing their license to sell alcohol permanently.

Any adult caught supplying alcohol to someone under the age of 18 can face a fine of up to 10,000 pounds.

This is why shops and pubs always ask for ID.

They're protecting themselves from serious consequences.

We're now going to do another check for understanding, and this time I'd like you to decide if this statement is true or false.

Only adults can face consequences for breaking laws around alcohol.

What do you think?

Is this true or false?

Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that this is false, but why?

You might have said that young people could face serious consequences for breaking alcohol laws, including being fined or arrested if caught drinking in public or purchasing alcohol.

Well done if you got this right.

We're now moving on to our second practice task, and well done for your hard work so far.

Felicity is 14 and has bought a fake ID.

She wants to use it to buy alcohol from a shop.

I'd like you to explain to Felicity what the consequences would be for using a fake ID, purchasing alcohol underage, and being caught drinking alcohol in public.

Pause the video and we'll go through a possible answer in a few minutes.

Okay, let's see what you might have said.

You might have said that using a fake ID is an offense under the Fraud Act 2006 punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 pounds and/or 10 years imprisonment.

You might have said that purchasing alcohol while under 18 is illegal.

Felicity could be fined or arrested.

The shop could face a 10,000 pound fine, closure or loss of the alcohol license.

and being caught drinking alcohol in public when under 18 can result in a fine, arrest, or a social contract if it's a repeat offense.

Well done if you have some of these ideas.

We're now moving on to our final learning cycle.

What is the impact of alcohol-related offenses?

There are several alcohol-related offenses and each of them can have a significant impact on a young person's life, and can result in a criminal record.

A criminal record is a record of offenses that you've admitted to or been found guilty of.

Police Officer Kofi says that a criminal record can stay with you for a minimum of five years.

However, some offenses can remain on your record for much longer or even permanently, depending on the severity.

You can gain a record for the following alcohol-related offenses, being drunk and disorderly in public, using a fake ID to purchase alcohol or to enter licensed premises, driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drinking alcohol in public when under 18.

Let's do a check for understanding to see how you're doing.

Is what Jun is saying correct?

Jun says that underage drinking cannot impact your future.

What do you think?

Is this true or false?

Pause the video, talk to people around you, have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that this is not true.

Breaking alcohol laws when you are under 18 can lead to a criminal record lasting at least five years, which can impact your future education, employment, and travel opportunities.

Having a criminal record can have a negative impact on several areas of a person's life.

For example, visa applications to visit or stay in other countries, job applications in the UK and in other countries, applications for some educational opportunities such as childcare courses, and it can also impact someone's ability to hold a driving license.

Police Officer Kofi reminds us that this isn't a complete list.

Criminal records can impact many other areas of life too.

Many countries require a visa for travel.

Some visa applications ask about your criminal record and serious offenses may prevent you from being granted entry to that country.

The USA is particularly strict and may automatically refuse visas for drink-driving or any offense that resulted in imprisonment.

Employers will also often ask you to disclose your criminal record.

Depending on the severity of offenses, this may impact your ability to find employment.

According to UK government statistics, only 34.

5% of people leaving prison find employment within six months of release.

Getting employment abroad can be even more difficult with countries like the USA often refusing work visas for serious offenses.

Certain educational programs require applicants to have a clear criminal record.

So, for example, childcare courses and teaching programs will not accept people with certain criminal convictions as these careers involve working with children and vulnerable people.

Police Officer Kofi says that this means that alcohol-related offenses committed as a teenager could prevent you from pursuing your chosen career path years later.

Drink-driving is also a serious offense.

A person found guilty can face a fine of up to 5,000 pounds or unlimited for causing someone's death, imprisonment, and a driving ban.

This crime puts lives at risk.

In 2022, according to the Department for Transport, an estimated 300 people were killed in drink-drive collisions in Great Britain.

It's important to remember that behind each statistic is a person, a family, and a community affected by this preventable tragedy.

Let's do another check for understanding.

Izzy and Alex are talking about the impact of a criminal record for alcohol related offenses.

Who is correct?

Izzy says a criminal record can only impact you when you're applying for jobs, but Alex says a criminal record can impact your prospects for travel, work, and education.

Who is correct, Izzy or Alex?

Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that Alex is correct, but why?

You might have said that having a criminal record for alcohol-related offenses can prevent travel and work in other countries, prevent entry into educational programs, and may prevent a person from having a driving license.

Well done if you said something like this.

Let's move on to your final practice task.

I'd like you to complete the table with the impact that alcohol-related offenses can have on different areas of person's life.

The areas that I'd like you to cover are travel, employment in the UK and abroad, education, and driving.

Can you complete the table with the different impacts that alcohol-related offenses can have on these areas?

Pause the video and we'll go through what a completed table could look like in a few minutes.

Okay, that's what you might have said.

For travel, you might have said that you may not be able to get a visa to travel to other countries.

For employment in the UK and abroad, you might have said that employers check criminal records, and serious offenses can make it difficult to find employment.

Countries like the USA carry out checks on criminal records.

For serious offenses, you may face automatic refusal of a visa application.

For education, you might have said that certain educational programs like childcare programs will not allow people with a criminal record.

And for driving, you might have said that drink-driving can result in a driving ban, fines, and imprisonment.

Well done if your completed table look like this.

We're now going to summarize the key learning from today's lesson.

In today's lesson, we've learned that there are different attitudes towards alcohol, and people may choose to drink it or not for a variety of reasons.

In the UK, the legal age to purchase alcohol is 18.

It's an offense for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase alcohol or to drink it in public.

This can result in serious consequences.

Breaking alcohol laws can lead to a criminal record, which can stay with you for at least five years.

This can create significant barriers to future opportunities, including travel visas, employment in the UK and abroad, certain educational programs, and holding a driving license.

Understanding the risks and laws around alcohol helps young people make informed decisions about their health and future.

During this lesson, you might have found that you've got some worries or questions.

And if you do, it's really important that you share these with a trusted adult.

There's also some resources on the screen that are there to help you too.

Well done for your hard work today.

I hope to see you again soon.