Over 50 per cent of kids have cited peer pressure as the main reason that they start drinking.

Research by the Department of Children, Schools and Families also found that 66 per cent of parents agree with this opinion, femalefirst. com reports.

Children's minister Dawn Primarolo noted that alcohol dependence can have a "devastating impact" on young people, as they are more likely to fall behind in school and get involved with violence.

"Often children and young people fail to realise the wider consequences of drinking and it is vital they are made aware of these risks before they start," she told the news provider.

The study discovered that 76 per cent of the 12 to 13-year-olds questioned think about alcoholic beverages a lot, while 23 per cent of guardians have still not had a conversation about its dangers.

It was recently announced that a consortium of charities in Scotland are to come together to tackle the issue of alcohol dependence.

Posted by Anthony Garner