The Taiwan Beverage Alcohol Forum believes that parents play a vital role in making sure that young people make responsible choices when they reach legal drinking age. TBAF also believes that providing accurate information about alcohol and alcohol education supports the responsible parent in guiding young people in the choices they make. The following information should be regarded as a general guide for parents who would like information on talking to their children about alcohol. The guide may also prove useful for teachers and others with responsibility for young people.

General Guideline

Physically and psychologically teenagers are developing young adults, and excessive consumption of alcohol during this development phase may have negative consequences over and above those experienced by fully grown adults. Apart from the physical consequences young people may not be equipped to deal with the emotional and psychological effects of alcohol abuse. Research carried out by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University indicates that teenagers who begin drinking heavily at the age of 15 or younger are four times more likely to become an alcoholic than those who abstain. It is vital, therefore, that teenagers/adolescents are provided with proper advice on the subject of alcohol and the effects of alcohol misuse within the family, in school and in society in general.

Learning how to behave responsibly in a society where alcohol plays a part in celebration and social occasions is an important part of growing up for young people. Educational programs therefore have a role in providing young people with the necessary skills to make adult decisions about alcohol. It is important that adults not only talk to young people about alcohol but also listen, in order to address any issues that may arise from the young person's perceptions of alcohol. It is important to establish facts about alcohol and rules on consumption that the young person can understand, as well as preparing them for situations where they may be encouraged to drink by equipping them with the means to say 'no'.

Under the terms of the Young People's Welfare Law, the purchase and consumption of alcohol by people under the age of 18 is prohibited. There are opportunities to discuss the reason for such a prohibition, for example when watching TV or during a movie where consumption is shown. Much of the advice available from educational literature stresses that it is important to think about how to express your beliefs and opinions about drinking before the conversation, for example what do you feel is appropriate concerning drinking, and what is not appropriate? Another useful piece of advice is that if the young person concerned breaks a rule about drinking it is best to try not to lose your temper while the young person is not in the best frame of mind to accept what you are saying.

While it is accepted that excessive consumption of alcohol on a regular basis can lead to health problems for the individual and for society as a whole, we emphasis that consumption of alcohol beverage is an adult experience, a choice made by adults. Educating your child why alcohol at a young age may be bad for them may well prevent them from coming into conflict with the law and from risking their health.