Youngsters under the age of 16 should be fined for possessing alcohol, says health minister Ab Klink. The suggestion follows a recent upsurge in alcohol abuse among children as young as 12. Currently only the sale of alcoholic drinks to minors is illegal.

The cabinet is also examining whether the sale of premixed drinks such as Bacardi Breezers in supermarkets can be banned.
Yesterday it emerged 86 children with an average age of 13.5 have been hospitalised so far this year after drinking too much.