The number of teenagers treated in hospital for alcohol poisoning was stable last year at 713, despite efforts to stop youngsters drinking.

In 2012, 710 Dutch teens were hospitalised for drinking too much. The figures indicate teenage drunkeness affects children equally across all levels of education.

The average age of the young drunks was 15.5. Boys accounted for just over half the total and the youngest was 12, said researchers from the Reinier de Graaf hospital, Twente University and the Dutch institute for alcohol policy STAP.

The 2013 figures have surprised researchers who expected a reduction, in line with the trend in 2011 and 2012.

Ban

On January 1 this year it became illegal for teenagers aged 16 and 17 to buy alcohol in bars and shops. Nevertheless, young teens are still being sent to hospital for excessive drinking, paediatrician Nico van der Lely told news agency ANP.

‘The law has changed but the social acceptance of alcohol has not,’ Van der Lely said.

Van der Lely says he plans to take his campaign into sports club canteens where teenage drinking is still considered the norm.