Many teens begin drinking on entering third year, study finds

The transition between second year and third year is a tipping point for many second-level students to start drinking alcohol.

The transition between second year and third year is a tipping point for second-level students to start drinking alcohol, while almost 40% of third-years who drink have already done so to the point of being sick, having an accident, or becoming involved in physical violence.

The findings are included in a three-year longitudinal study carried out by Maynooth University (MU) and which also shows that 44% of third-years referred to "tolerant" parental views regarding alcohol, versus 17% who said they had not started drinking because of concerns over their parents’ reaction.