problems and that we need to develop our understanding of drinking behaviour, across the life course and across the globe. What is already known on this subjectA proposed relationship between an early onset of drinking and alcohol problems in adulthood has been used as an important rationale to justify efforts to prevent drinking among children and young people. Although a number of observational studies appear to support this relationship, the evidence for such a link has not previously been systematically examined. What this study addsThere is a meagre evidence-base of high-quality cohort studies to evaluate the relationship between an earlier onset of drinking and adult alcohol problems. These studies do not provide clear evidence of a causal relationship. Policy makers should concentrate on minimising the acute and short-term harms associated with drinking among children and adolescents rather than on uncertain long-term harms.
