This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7455391.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Off-licence age could rise to 21 | Off-licence age could rise to 21 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The age for buying alcohol from supermarkets and off-licences in Scotland could rise from 18 to 21. | The age for buying alcohol from supermarkets and off-licences in Scotland could rise from 18 to 21. |
| Scottish ministers are expected to bring the plans forward in the next week as part of their drive to tackle Scotland's binge drinking culture. | Scottish ministers are expected to bring the plans forward in the next week as part of their drive to tackle Scotland's binge drinking culture. |
| But retailers accused the government of sending confusing messages, as 18-year-olds would continue to be served in pubs, bars and clubs. | But retailers accused the government of sending confusing messages, as 18-year-olds would continue to be served in pubs, bars and clubs. |
| The move will follow the success of a scheme in Armadale, West Lothian. | The move will follow the success of a scheme in Armadale, West Lothian. |
| Off-licences in the town refused to sell alcohol to under-21s on Friday and Saturdays, during which assaults, vandalism and general complaints about young people decreased. | |
| Supermarkets have totally failed to respond to the obviously irresponsible promotions that they have within their stores Paul WatersonScottish Licensed Trade Association The Scottish Government is working on other measures to tackle the problem - which costs Scotland an estimated £2.25bn a year. | Supermarkets have totally failed to respond to the obviously irresponsible promotions that they have within their stores Paul WatersonScottish Licensed Trade Association The Scottish Government is working on other measures to tackle the problem - which costs Scotland an estimated £2.25bn a year. |
| These measures include a possible big increase in the cost of alcoholic drinks and an end to cut-price alcohol deals in shops and supermarkets. | These measures include a possible big increase in the cost of alcoholic drinks and an end to cut-price alcohol deals in shops and supermarkets. |
| But plans to make it illegal for anyone under 21 to buy alcohol to take away went down badly with the Scottish Retail Consortium. | But plans to make it illegal for anyone under 21 to buy alcohol to take away went down badly with the Scottish Retail Consortium. |
| Its director Fiona Moriarty said it was more important to educate young people to drink responsibly. | Its director Fiona Moriarty said it was more important to educate young people to drink responsibly. |
| She added: "This mixed message, that it is ok to drink in pubs and clubs, but that it is not ok to buy something to drink responsibly in your own home, is extremely confusing." | She added: "This mixed message, that it is ok to drink in pubs and clubs, but that it is not ok to buy something to drink responsibly in your own home, is extremely confusing." |
| But Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association - which represents pubs and clubs - said it was time for ministers to take strong action. | But Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association - which represents pubs and clubs - said it was time for ministers to take strong action. |
| "Over the last couple of years the supermarkets have totally failed to respond to the obviously irresponsible promotions that they have within their stores," he said. | "Over the last couple of years the supermarkets have totally failed to respond to the obviously irresponsible promotions that they have within their stores," he said. |
| "There's a total lack of understanding that the prices they are charging, which means alcohol is often cheaper than water, is exacerbating the problem in Scotland." | "There's a total lack of understanding that the prices they are charging, which means alcohol is often cheaper than water, is exacerbating the problem in Scotland." |