Public gives views on alcohol ban

Proposals include plans to ban off-sales to under-21s

Members of the public have been giving their views on Scottish Government plans to tackle alcohol misuse.

The proposals have divided political opinion with MSPs voting against plans to ban off-sales to under-21s.

Responses to the public consultation were also split, with bodies such as the Scottish Retailers Consortium against, and NHS Scotland in favour.

Health Minister Shona Robison said she would take the 530 responses to the consultation into account.

She said: "The Scottish Government's proposals for tackling alcohol misuse are unashamedly radical and I therefore welcome the enthusiastic response to our consultation.

"We will take into account all of the views expressed as we develop legislation to address an issue that has an impact on the whole of society.

"We believe that raising the off-sales purchase age would cut the level of uncontrolled open-air and home drinking which we know can result in anti-social behaviour."

'Extremely concerned'

In a response to the consultation, the Scottish Retail Consortium said it was concerned by some of the measures.

It said: "We are extremely concerned by the ways in which fundamental legislative changes may be driven forward without due thought as to whether they will change this culture for the better or have any long-term impact on the demand for alcohol."

But Alcohol Focus Scotland said the measure could have benefits. It pointed to Denmark and Sweden as examples where different age limits exist for on and off-licence sales.

The Scottish Government put forward the proposal for the ban after a six-month trial in Stenhousemuir saw anti-social behaviour calls on Friday and Saturday evenings reduced by 40%.

Other proposals being put forward include a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, an end to alcohol promotions and "social responsibility" fees for organisations that profit from alcohol sales.

Age Concern expressed concerns about raising the price of alcohol saying older people on a low fixed income should not be penalised for Scotland's binge drinking culture.

Its response said: "Binge drinking in Scottish society is a cultural problem not a free-market one and will not be solved by increasing the cost of alcohol."