Kids think binge-drinking normal

Sixty per cent of the children surveyed said they believed people on television drunk too much, and about the same proportion say people drink alcohol to forget about their problems.

Nearly half of young children said they thought adults who drank were trying to be cool.

Life Education national director Stephen Burgesssaid the results needed to be taken seriously.

"We need to look at what role models we wish to provide and to make sure children understand that a healthy life does not involve excessive drinking," he told PA.

In Australia, the issue of binge drinking is being hotly debated, with the Federal Government lifting a tax on so-called alcopops.

Police commissioners around the country have called for the abolition of some `happy hours' and a review of liquor trading hours to address a "drink to get drunk" culture.

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