Frank Soodeen, Head of Public Affairs with Alcohol Concern, a charity that lobbies for better information about alcohol and a more efficient government policy, told ABC News that what worries him the most is the amount of alcohol consumed by teenagers.
"The amount of alcohol that teenagers drink has doubled since the early 90's," he said. "It's a minority, but they are drinking more than before."
Alcohol is now more affordable and available to teenagers than ever before, according to the Home Office and Alcohol Concern.
"They can simply use their pocket money to buy alcohol, because it's so cheap," said Soodeen.
At some British supermarkets, the cheapest beers sell for as little as 50 cents a pint.
In an interview he gave to the BBC, Police Chief Ken Jones lashed out at supermarkets for encouraging excessive drinking.
"Why is it we have got ourselves into a position where lager is being sold cheaper than water?" Jones asked.
The British supermarket chain Tesco said the stores should not be blamed.
"It is a very competitive market, so you have to offer very competitive prices. People expect to get great value," Tesco said. "We need it to give it to them."
The kids often don't even have to go to the store for their booze.
"Nearly half of the alcohol obtained by young people appears to come from the family home," said Smith. "The parents have to hear the message."
"The idea that you can hand your kids a six-pack of lager and tell them to disappear off for the evening" she said, "frankly baffles me."
Soodeen said parents are partly to blame.
"There is a certain acceptance among some parents that it is OK to drink," said Soodeen, "because they look back at their teenage years and don't realize that today's teenagers drink more than they did."
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