SummaryThe results of the first phase of a follow‐up study of drinking habits and alcohol‐related consequences amongst 1,036 Scottish teenagers are reported. These data revealed a very high level of alcohol involvement amongst the study group and, in particular, amongst females. The results lend support to the view that differences in levels of alcohol‐related problems experienced by the sexes are diminishing. Social class background, school, general attitudes to alcohol and exposure to alcohol education were all unrelated to self‐reported alcohol consumption and alcohol‐related con