We know how to deter British children from alcohol, say experts, after concerns over WHO report

Girls were found to be more likely than boys to have drunk at the age of 15. Photograph: Festivals/Alamy

In 2000, about 19% of children under 16 in England smoked, according to Action on Smoking and Health. By 2018, this had declined to 5%.

But, according to a major report by the World Health Organization released on Thursday, a third of 11-year-olds and over half of 13-year-olds had drunk alcohol, the highest rate of any country worldwide. Girls were found to be more likely than boys to have drunk at the age of 15.