Drinkers could be asked to prove they're over 25 in ID crackdown

In an attempt to change the nation's drinking culture, Labour wants to introduce a mandatory "Challenge 25" scheme that would force drinkers with youthful looks to carry identification proving that they are over 18 if they want to buy alcohol from off-sales or drink in pubs and restaurants.

The plan, which is similar to the system operated in the United States, would affect hundreds of thousands of Scots by forcing them carry passports or driving licences when they go out on the town to prove they are over 18.

Even drinkers over the age of 25 would be forced to prove their age if bar staff believe they could be younger.

"We want to protect shop staff and bar staff so that anybody who looks younger than 25 is asked for ID before they buy alcohol," a Labour spokesman said.

"At the moment, people tend just to ask drinkers if they look 16, 17,18 or 19 but we want to raise the bar to 25.

"This will make it much more difficult for underage people to buy alcohol and will create a culture whereby every young person who wants to buy alcohol will have to produce ID."

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SNP ministers have already proposed introducing a "Challenge 21" system, a provision that is contained in the Scottish Government's controversial Alcohol Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament.

Last night, the SNP government indicated that it would look favourably on Labour's proposal to amend the Bill so that the barrier is raised to 25.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said last night: "We are pleased that Labour thinks that this is a good idea.

"In the Bill, the age restriction is nominally at 21 at the moment. We would be happy to consider their proposal at where they want to set the barrier."

In America, laws governing the purchase of alcohol have, as a rule, been far stricter than those in the UK.

In all states, the legal limit for drinking is 21. Some states, including California and New York, operate a "Challenge 30" policy, whereby identification has to be produced if the buyer looks under 30.

Other states simply ask anyone wanting to buy alcohol for ID, a situation that results in even senior citizens showing a driving licence when they go to the off-licence.

The "Challenge 25" proposal was included in an interim report published by the Alcohol Commission set up by Labour to look at Scotland's troubled relationship with drink.

But the document released yesterday by the commission, chaired by Professor Sally Brown, of Stirling University, made no recommendations on minimum pricing – the most contentious policy of the SNP government's Alcohol Bill.

Today, MSPs on Holyrood's Health Committee are expected to publish a report on the bill, which will reflect the parliamentary divide on the issue by failing to back or reject minimum pricing.

In Scotland, minimum pricing has been opposed by the Tories, the Lib Dems and Labour – leaving the Bill well short of the parliamentary majority that it requires to get through parliament.

The final report to be published this summer will look at the issue of minimum pricing, although yesterday's interim document admitted that "any effective strategy must include action on pricing".

But Labour's health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said she did not believe that the commission would come out in favour of minimum pricing, because it was a flawed approach.

Labour also want more schemes to help those guilty of drink-related crimes as an alternative to prison.