Early exposure to alcohol can lead kids to later harm

There's no evidence to gently introducing alcohol to children can prevent harm later on. Photo: Melanie Foster/AAP PHOTOS

Even a supervised glass of beer or wine can expose children to a much higher risk of alcohol abuse in early adulthood.

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An Australian study published in the journal Addiction on Tuesday finds that 12-year-olds exposed to alcohol are more likely to suffer from binge drinking, alcohol dependence or abuse in early adulthood than those that first drink at age 18.

And while parents might look to gently introduce booze to their children around the family dinner before