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This information applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland
The law on the age at which you can drink alcohol is complicated. Before the age of 18, you are not allowed to buy alcohol in pubs or shops, drink alcohol in pubs or outside in public places. It is also unlawful for anyone else to buy alcohol for you if you are under 18 and the drink will be consumed in a pub or public place. If you are aged 16 or 17 you are allowed to buy and drink alcohol if it is to accompany a meal bought in the same place, for example in a restaurant.
Any child aged five or over can drink alcohol at home or on other private premises but children under the age of five can only drink alcohol on a doctor's advice for health reasons.
It's illegal to sell cigarettes, tobacco or cigarette papers to anyone under 18.
Smoking is banned in all public places and workplaces, whatever your age.
For more information about alcohol and young people, see Young People: Health and personal.
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