Alcohol Licensing
Wed., June 18, 2008. 11:30.
Blanket measures on drink “disproportionate and misguided”
The Scottish Greens today criticised SNP proposals around alcohol licensing as "both disproportionate and misguided". (1) Greens object to the proposed blanket increase in the legal age for off-sales alcohol purchases to 21, arguing instead for specific measures to be agreed locally where problem drinking is identified. Greens also remain to be convinced on the proposals for fixed prices, bans on drinks promotions, and additional taxation on retailers. The Party proposes that communities instead be empowered to make local changes through the existing Local Licensing Forums. (2) Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"Alcohol clearly contributes to many of Scotland's problems of crime and disorder, but these proposals are both disproportionate and misguided. Why should students be allowed to drink in pubs and clubs but prevented from buying beer for a party? Why should some young couples not be allowed to buy a bottle of wine to celebrate until their fifth wedding anniversary?
"An additional tax on alcohol is also a surprising idea coming from SNP Ministers, who have been arguing for lower duty on whisky one week and additional fees on alcohol retailers the next. There's a real danger of knee-jerk politics, which could prove incredibly unpopular with small local businesses and with the majority of Scots who drink responsibly.
"The local problems we see are different from place to place, and communities should have the powers to bring in specific, time-limited restrictions on off-sales hours for those local areas affected. The Scottish Parliament created Local Licensing Forums as recently as 2005, and they are the right bodies to consider any such moves, given that they must include local residents, young people, licensees, and the police.
"We also need to see proper enforcement of the existing restrictions, including the law on being drunk in public and the existing age limits for purchasing alcohol. There's no point whatsoever changing the scope of legislation that's already so widely flouted."
Notes
1. See the Scottish Government's proposals
2. The Local Licensing Forums were established through the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, and their membership must include:
- holders of premises licences and personal licences (licensees),
- the chief constable for the police area in which the Forum's area is situated,
- persons having functions relating to health, education or social work,
- young people,
- persons resident within the Forum's area.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.