SNP faces defeat over alcohol age limit

Published on Wednesday 1 October 2008 22:45

THE Scottish Government is facing defeat today over its plans to raise to 21 the age limit for buying alcohol from shops.

The opposition parties are expected to unite behind a Conservative Party motion attacking the new age-limit plans.

The criticism of the SNP proposals inside the parliament has also been matched by opposition outside. Last week, a 10,000-signature petition was handed in to parliament and an online campaign was launched to fight the proposals.

The government remains undeterred, however, and has insisted it will continue with the proposals to ban under-21s from buying drink from shops to reduce binge drinking and antisocial behaviour.

The measure is part of a package to crack down on binge drinking, including separate aisles for alcohol in supermarkets and minimum pricing.

But critics believe that Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, has gone too far with these age-limit plans and he will have to withdraw them or face a succession of defeats in parliament.

Tom French, co-ordinator of the Coalition Against Raising the Drinking Age in Scotland, said: "They have pushed forward a policy that cannot be backed up by the evidence."

His group has offered to work with the Scottish Government on other aspects of its alcohol policy, but not on the rise in the purchase age.

Mr French said: "If they try to push the overall legislation through with this attached, they will fail. They have got every opposition party against them and, it seems, the majority of the country."

Opponents believe it is ridiculous to leave the age limit for buying alcohol in pubs at 18 while raising it to 21 for shops, which means young people would be able to go to a pub and drink, but not buy a bottle of wine on the way home.

They have also pointed out that most international comparisons show real problems if the on- and off-licence age limits are different.

The Scottish Government move has mobilised students around the country, turning even Nationalist students against the SNP.

Murdo Fraser, the deputy Tory leader in the Scottish Parliament, said: "We have problem drinkers at every age in society. To target 18-21-year-olds suggests that group alone has a problem which does not apply to other sectors of society. This proposal is discriminatory, and there is simply no evidence to back it up."

He added: "Before we consider further legislation, we have to ensure we are properly enforcing the laws that currently exist."

Yet, despite this opposition, the Scottish Government is continuing to insist on the age-limit plans, arguing that it would curb "uncontrolled open-air and home drinking".

A spokeswoman said: "Alcohol misuse costs Scotland over 2.25 billion every year. Raising the off-sales drinking age is just one of our ideas for bringing about a wider cultural shift in Scotland's approach to alcohol. Other proposals include a minimum price for alcohol, a ban on irresponsible promotions and a social responsibility fee for some retailers."