The SNP government's proposals on alcohol issues were outlined last week in its publication “Changing Scotland’s relationship with alcohol: a discussion paper on our strategic approach”The report highlighted a number of measures for tackling Scotland’s drinking culture including raising the legal age for buying from off-sales to 21, a minimum price for alcoholic drinks and the introduction of separate checkouts for alcohol sales.
The headline in the "Press and Journal" (click on headline to view) called the off-sales age ban "absurd"; I totally agree. It will contribute the square root of nothing to solving the alcohol problem. Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Ross Finnie MSP, has condemned the SNP’s plans to raise the drinking age for off-sales to 21.
Ross said, “This is a totally misguided move by the SNP. Introducing a presumption of guilt for an entire generation of 18 to 20 year-olds that they are irresponsible drinkers will do nothing to improve relations between government and young people. Indeed, it could do quite the reverse.
“If Scotland is to tackle its drink problem we need the overwhelming majority of young people who drink responsibly on-side and campaigning and setting an example to their generation.
“Liberal Democrats exposed the shockingly low number of prosecutions handed down to retailers selling alcohol to minors. The SNP should be cracking down on these rogue retailers before stigmatising all those aged between 18 and 21.
“I am ... writing to youth organisations and student unions across Scotland asking them not only to join our campaign, but also to campaign themselves for more responsible drinking by young people.
“I am pleased that Ministers have signalled their intent to take action on the sale of cheap drink. It’s a scandal that supermarkets can cite competition as an excuse for selling cut-price alcohol. The sensible sale of alcohol must be a key corporate social responsibility for supermarkets. The Government’s proposed ‘social responsibility’ fee is an interesting proposal.
“Government alone will not solve Scotland’s alcohol problem. We all have a personal responsibility to bring about the long-term culture change necessary to tackle irresponsible drinking. Our young people are part of the solution not just part of the problem.”
Ross said, “This is a totally misguided move by the SNP. Introducing a presumption of guilt for an entire generation of 18 to 20 year-olds that they are irresponsible drinkers will do nothing to improve relations between government and young people. Indeed, it could do quite the reverse.
“If Scotland is to tackle its drink problem we need the overwhelming majority of young people who drink responsibly on-side and campaigning and setting an example to their generation.
“Liberal Democrats exposed the shockingly low number of prosecutions handed down to retailers selling alcohol to minors. The SNP should be cracking down on these rogue retailers before stigmatising all those aged between 18 and 21.
“I am ... writing to youth organisations and student unions across Scotland asking them not only to join our campaign, but also to campaign themselves for more responsible drinking by young people.
“I am pleased that Ministers have signalled their intent to take action on the sale of cheap drink. It’s a scandal that supermarkets can cite competition as an excuse for selling cut-price alcohol. The sensible sale of alcohol must be a key corporate social responsibility for supermarkets. The Government’s proposed ‘social responsibility’ fee is an interesting proposal.
“Government alone will not solve Scotland’s alcohol problem. We all have a personal responsibility to bring about the long-term culture change necessary to tackle irresponsible drinking. Our young people are part of the solution not just part of the problem.”