Alcohol and the law
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why people might choose to drink alcohol, the associated risks with alcohol and the law surrounding it.
Key learning points
- People have different attitudes towards drinking alcohol.
- The legal age to purchase alcohol in the UK is 18.
- Alcohol affects the brain and can cause serious health problems.
- Underage drinking is an offence that can result in fines, arrest or a criminal record.
- Criminal records can affect future travel, employment and education opportunities.
Keywords
Legal age - the minimum age at which a person is allowed to do something by law, such as purchasing alcohol
Alcohol - a substance containing ethanol which can impair judgement and coordination
Underage drinking - the consumption of alcohol by someone who is below the legal drinking age
Offence - a breach of a law or rule; an illegal act
Criminal record - a list of a person's previous criminal convictions
Common misconception
Only adults face consequences for breaking alcohol laws.
Young people can face serious consequences for breaking alcohol laws, including being fined or arrested if caught drinking in public or purchasing alcohol.
Teacher tip
Consider cultural sensitivity. Some religions prohibit alcohol entirely. Frame discussions inclusively, celebrating diverse perspectives rather than treating abstinence as unusual.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The UK government puts on harmful substances such as nicotine or alcohol.
Q2.The legal age to buy cigarettes or vapes is ...
Q3. are decisions that contribute positively to our physical and mental wellbeing.
Q4.Match the word to its correct definition.
the way in which a person lives, including their habits and behaviours
doing something within reasonable limits, not in excess
the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health
Q5.Match the consequence to the type of situation.
a monetary penalty you must pay for breaking a law
being taken into police custody for committing an offence
an official record of your convictions that can last for years
being sent to prison as punishment for a serious crime
Q6.It is against the to purchase age-restricted products for someone underage.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their correct definition.
the minimum age at which a person is allowed to do something by law
a substance containing ethanol which can impair judgement
a breach of a law or rule; an illegal act
a list of a person’s previous criminal convictions
Q2.Mia says: "Only adults get in trouble for breaking alcohol laws." Is Mia correct?
Q3.What is the legal age to purchase alcohol in the UK?
Q4.Match each alcohol-related offence to its potential consequence.
can result in a fine, arrest or criminal record
maximum fine of £5000 and/or 10 years imprisonment
fine up to £5000, imprisonment and driving ban
Q5.Which of these is a serious health problem that can be caused by drinking alcohol over long periods of time?
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Alcohol and the law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Alcohol and the law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Risky substances: What do I need to know about alcohol? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.