Town cheers drink ban plan for under-21s

Published on Thursday 11 September 2008 10:06

A TOWN plagued by antisocial behaviour is backing controversial moves to crack down on alcohol misuse.

Nearly 2000 people in Penicuik took part in a survey by SNP MSP Christine Grahame on the Scottish Government's latest plans, which include a ban on under-21s buying drink from off-licences. The proposal has prompted widespread opposition, including claims the Government is "demonising" young people, and sparked a 10,000-signature petition against the ban.

But in an analysis of the first 1000 replies to her survey, Ms Grahame found 68 per cent support in Penicuik for raising the minimum age for buying alcohol in off-licences from 18 to 21.

She said the backing for the ban added weight to her argument for such measures to be available for local communities to adopt rather than being imposed everywhere.

She said: "I was not surprised at the findings because there has been a local problem with youths drinking in the street and behaving aggressively.

"This reinforces my view that it should be up to local people, councillors, tradespeople and youth groups to buy into this kind of measure if they wish."

Ms Grahame said people often raised the problem of alcohol-related antisocial behaviour when they came to her surgeries.

An overwhelming majority of those answering the questionnaire agreed alcohol abuse was a major problem.

The survey also found 72 per cent backed restrictions on "irresponsible promotions" and 62 per cent supported pricing by strength.

The consultation period on the Scottish Government's proposals closed on Tuesday and ministers are expected to come forward with revised plans soon.

The Coalition Against Raising the Drinking Age in Scotland (Cardas) – whose members include NUS Scotland – is to submit a 10,000-signature petition against the under-21 ban to the Scottish Parliament this month.

The coalition claims raising the minimum purchase age is a "deeply flawed and discriminatory" proposal, which has not worked anywhere else and has proven counter-productive in the US. Cardas co-ordinator Tom French said:

"It demonises young people and infringes on the rights of the responsible majority of young adults who would be trusted to go to war, get married, and run a pub at 18, but could not have a glass of wine over dinner."