Alcohol misuse plans bring backlash

Off-sales move will demonise everyone under 21, say Lib Dems as party launches online petition

By Tim Pauling

Published:

The backlash against Scottish Government proposals to tackle alcohol misuse gained momentum yesterday.

In advance of today’s Holyrood debate on alcohol misuse, the Liberal Democrats launched an online petition against the proposals to raise the age for off-sales to 21.

Although the party agrees that “radical action” is needed to tackle Scotland’s “lethal relationship” with alcohol, it claims that raising the age limit will demonise everyone under 21 as irresponsible drinkers.

On the same day student campaigners, who have their own online petition on the subject, met senior Scottish Conservative MSPs.

Lib Dem health spokesman Ross Finnie said raising the drinking age for off-sales was totally misguided.

He added: “It will introduce a presumption that an entire generation of 18-20 year-olds are irresponsible drinkers and 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 onside and campaigning and setting an example to their generation.”

The moves follow industry fears the government proposals would stop distilleries from handing out free drams to visitors at the end of tours. Whisky trails and distillery visitor centres are a popular part of the tourist industry. The Famous Grouse Experience, in Crieff, gets more than 100,000 visitors a year, while Glenfiddich Distillery, in Dufftown, attracted 73,000 people last year.

The worries were based on a proposal that would prevent licensed premises engaging in promotions designed to encourage people to buy alcohol for consumption elsewhere.

While the consultation document made no reference to distilleries, industry leaders feared they could become casualties of the “unintended consequences” of the plans. Last night the Scottish Government denied its proposals would affect distilleries.

A spokesman said: “We can be absolutely clear that changing the arrangements whereby distilleries can offer a dram to visitors is not something we are considering.

“Our robust proposals for tackling alcohol misuse go hand-in-hand with supporting a successful Scottish drinks industry, including Scotch whisky, as a sector which marries economic growth with promotion of a sensible and responsible approach to drinking.”

A Scotch Whisky Association spokesman said the government's confirmation was very welcome.

Lib Dem health spokesman Ross Finnie said the government’s alcohol plan was clear and he could not see how the distilleries would escape the ban on promotions. He said: “This sounds suspiciously like making policy on the hoof. I am disappointed the government left it to an official to calm the fears of one of Scotland’s key industries.”