After adjusting for known and residual confounders, younger
age at first use of alcohol was associated with significantly higher
risk of heavy alcohol use, moreover, we posit that the association
observed from this longitudinal study is probably causal. Abstinence
from alcohol until the age of 18 years will likely reduce
individual risk of alcohol-related problems in adulthood. In the
longer term, delayed onset of exposure with widespread abstinence
among this age group is also likely to reduce the overall prevalence
of alcohol-related problems in the general population.