Lib Dems campaign against SNP drinking age plans

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Jun 2008

Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Ross Finnie MSP has condemned the SNP's plans to raise the drinking age for off-sales to 21.

Mr Finnie is writing to groups representing young people and student unions across Scotland calling on them to join the Liberal Democrats' opposition to the SNP's plans to demonise every under 21 year old as drinking irresponsibly.

The Scottish Government has today published 'Changing Scotland's relationship with alcohol: a discussion paper on our strategic approach'. Although the Liberal Democrats agree that radical action must be taken to tackle Scotland's lethal relationship with alcohol, they fundamentally disagree with the plans to raise the drinking age for off-sales.

Commenting, Mr Finnie said, "This is a totally misguided move by the SNP. Introducing a presumption of guilt for an entire generation of 18 to 20 year-olds that they are irresponsible drinkers 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 on-side and campaigning and setting an example to their generation.

"Liberal Democrats exposed the shockingly low number of prosecutions handed down to retailers selling alcohol to minors. The SNP should be cracking down on these rogue retailers before stigmatising all those aged between 18 and 21.

"I am today writing to youth organisations and student unions across Scotland asking them not only to join our campaign, but also to campaign themselves for more responsible drinking by young people.

"I am pleased that Ministers have signalled their intent to take action on the sale of cheap drink. It's a scandal that supermarkets can cite competition as an excuse for selling cut-price alcohol. The sensible sale of alcohol must be a key corporate social responsibility for supermarkets. The Government's proposed 'social responsibility' fee is an interesting proposal.

"Government alone will not solve Scotland's alcohol problem. We all have a personal responsibility to bring about the long-term culture change necessary to tackle irresponsible drinking. Our young people are part of the solution not just part of the problem."