Alcohol Concern calls for local authorities to be able to turn down requests to sell alcohol on the basis of public health

The amount of alcohol drunk by children varies according to how many off-licences are in the area where they live, according to research to be published on Monday by Alcohol Concern.

The charity is calling for local authorities to take control of the rate at which licensed premises are opening, after finding a link between underage drinking and the density of outlets selling alcohol. Areas with more outlets have proportionally more children admitted to hospital with alcohol-related conditions. The most up-to-date statistics suggest that 35 under-18s are admitted to hospital with such conditions every day in England.

Under current legislation, licensing committees do not take public health issues into account when approving applications. Alcohol Concern's chief executive, Don Shenker, said: "The increase in hospital admissions among young drinkers is a cause of real concern and it is particularly worrying that the increased number and concentration of off-licences may be contributing to this. Local areas must have the ability to decide for themselves how many licensed premises they allow, rather than be obliged to grant new licences, as in the current system."

In 2009, there were more than 49,000 off-licences in England and Wales – an increase of more than 25% over the past 30 years. Off-licence sales are the main direct and indirect source of alcohol for young people. The general availability of alcohol increases the volume of alcohol in the home, as well as allowing more opportunities for under-18s to "shoulder-tap" – ask someone to buy alcohol for them.

"It is a sobering thought that the numbers of off-licences in any one area has an impact on under-18s drinking and ending up in hospital. It is a failing of the system that so many licences are being granted without due consideration to young people's health," said Shenker. "A new health objective should be included in the Licensing Act to enable local authorities to refuse new licences in order to reduce alcohol-related harm and protect young people."

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of Alcohol Health Alliance UK and the Royal College of Physicians' special adviser on alcohol, called for a comprehensive alcohol strategy from the government to tackle "affordability, promotion and availability of alcohol".