Tobacco and alcohol

There are clear laws about the use of alcohol and nicotine products, such as tobacco, e-cigarettes, or vapes, in the UK. There are also some safeguarding considerations related to these things. The law is different for children and adults and so are the safeguarding considerations.  

Your organisation should make sure that your policies about the use of these products in your buildings and during your activities are clear and in line with the law. Your workers also need to know when their use could be a safeguarding concern and how to pass this on. 

When is the use of alcohol or nicotine products a safeguarding concern? 

Adults: 

Over 18s are legally allowed to buy and consume alcohol or nicotine products. Adults also have the right to make their own decisions about their lives. Safeguarding concerns for adults in this area could be: 

• A person’s behaviour under the influence of alcohol is putting themselves or others at risk of serious harm. 
• An adult at risk’s dependency on alcohol means that they are not able to keep themselves safe and well. 
• A person’s misuse of alcohol is a sign or indicator that they may be experiencing harm or abuse. 
• An adult at risk is being forced or coerced into using alcohol or nicotine products by somebody else. 
• An adult at risk is experiencing neglect because of a carer’s dependency on alcohol.

Children: 

Across the UK, it is illegal for under 18s to buy alcohol or nicotine products, and for an adult to buy these things for a child. Safeguarding concerns for children in this area could be: 

• If a child is regularly drinking alcohol, this could be a sign or indicator that they are experiencing harm, abuse or neglect. 
• If an adult is giving alcohol or nicotine products to a child, it could indicate grooming or exploitation. 
• A parent / carer’s dependency on alcohol or misuse of substances could put a child at risk of harm or neglect. 
• A child’s behaviour under the influence of alcohol is putting themselves or others at risk of serious harm. 
• Harm caused by these substances to a child’s developing body and brain – these health and wellbeing concerns could have wider safeguarding implications.
• Vaping among under-18s is increasing. Though often seen as harmless without tobacco, many vapes contain high nicotine levels, which are addictive and harmful to health and development. Bright packaging and sweet flavours target young people. While vaping isn’t always a safeguarding issue, it can be in settings with a duty of care—such as youth groups or charities—where safeguarding means preventing harm and promoting wellbeing by staying alert to risky behaviours and trends.

Safeguarding responsibilities

• All workers should pass on safeguarding concerns to their Safeguarding Lead and Safeguarding Leads should follow their processes for further referral if needed. 
• Respond with caring curiosity towards children and adults at risk. 
• Have clear policies and codes of conduct / signage around use of alcohol and nicotine products in your buildings or during your activities. 
• Workers do not have the right to confiscate alcohol found in a young person's possession, but they can enforce a no-alcohol policy. 
• There may be occasions where it is felt necessary to inform parents/carers that a child/young person has been drinking, particularly if they are under the influence of alcohol at the group or there are concerns for their health or safety. This should be discussed with the Group Leader and Safeguarding Lead.