Drink-sales ban denounced as ‘daft’

dundee city council chief says government’s proposal is ‘confusing and contradictory’

By Cameron Brooks

Published:

Organisations across the north and north-east are divided over the SNP’s controversial plans to ban off-sales to under-21s.

Responses to a consultation on the issue showed that Alcohol and Drug Action Teams in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen are opposed to it because it will be difficult to enforce and discriminate against law-abiding, responsible 18 to 20-year-olds.

Dundee City Council chief executive Alex Stephen says the proposal is “confusing and contradictory” given young people of legal age will still be able to buy a drink in pubs.

David Adams, chairman of Angus and Dundee Tourism Partnership, said the “daft” move would confuse visitors to Scotland.

Shetland Islands Area Licensing Board and Shetland Local Licensing Forum said it was “going a step too far” and could push sales underground.

However, Aberdeen Foyer, which supports homeless and unemployed people aged 16-25, is in favour of the proposal because it would promote more positive drinking attitudes and reduce antisocial behaviour.

NHS Grampian Public Health Directorate argues that the measure should “help stress the harmful effects of alcohol from a cultural point of view”.

NHS Shetland and Shetland Alcohol and Drug Action Team are opposed to the move and believe that better promotion of responsible drinking is the way forward.

There were 530 responses to the consultation – 260 from individuals, 215 from organisations and 55 from MSPs and other people.

Although the proposal was defeated by 72 votes to 47 in a debate at Holyrood last week, the Scottish Government is determined to press ahead with its “radical plans”.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison promised that all the views would be taken into consideration during the legislation process.

The proposal is part of a package of measures being considered to tackle Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol, including introducing minimum pricing, outlawing “irresponsible” promotions and introducing a social responsibility fee for licence-holders.

Plans to increase the purchase age for alcohol were proposed following several pilot schemes, including a six-month trial at Stenhousemuir, near Falkirk, which led to a 40% reduction in anti-social behaviour on Friday and Saturday nights.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill says alcohol misuse is costing Scotland more than £2.25billion a year, impacting on the health service, criminal justice system and undermining the economy.

Labour and Lib Dem MSPs last night reiterated their call for the “unworkable” policy to be scrapped.