05 February 2024 , 13:12
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Alcohol-free booze has surged in recent years, as more and more Brits are toying with sobriety (or just trying to get through Dry January).
While no-secco and boozeless bubbles make a great alternative for those wanting to celebrate without the impending hangover, a new debate around whether they should be given to children has arisen. While under 18s can legally purchase drinks containing less than 0.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) in hospitality settings, they can't buy them from supermarkets.
But one woman was left torn after her 13-year-old came back from a school friend's party - only to be told she'd been served alcohol-free Prosecco.
Taking to Mumsnet, the anonymous woman explained that she picked her daughter up from the birthday bash at 9.30pm on Saturday, where she revealed the friend's parents had bought bottles of 'no-secco' for them. The daughter says she tried the tipple but described it as 'horrible' and so 'discreetly left it on the table'. But, the mum wasn't happy.
"It's been playing on my mind and just doesn't sit right with me giving children that young alcohol-free Prosecco," the post reads. "I'm the daughter of an alcoholic so sometimes things can be a little triggering for me so not sure if I'm being over the top. Is it like like trying makeup out? Trying to look grown up maybe? I'm just not sure."
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Hundreds of parents took to the comments section to describe their outrage. One user described the situation as an 'early intro to the toxic mummy wine culture', adding: "I would be very unhappy. You're not the weird one here!"
Another commented: "I have a 12-year-old and I'd be pretty disgusted if this was offered to her." While a third wrote: "It wouldn't sit right with me. It's not only about it having no alcohol, it's the whole culture around alcohol..."
However, many defended the parent's decision and said such criticism wouldn't arise if the teens were made mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails). "It wouldn't bother me, I'd just be thankful that it wasn't actual alcohol," one person said. Another agreed, stating: "I'm also the daughter of an alcoholic. I'm teetotal. I also have a 13-year-old daughter. I would be perfectly fine with this."
The mother replied to comments saying she thinks her initial reaction may have not been around the 'drink itself' but that it was given to her daughter without her knowing. "Maybe it's because it's the first time this kind of "teenage" thing has happened and as she only just turned 13 I naively thought I had a bit longer," she added.
Do you think kids should be allowed alcohol free booze? Let us know in the comments section below