Fancy a drink? Sorry, you'll need to be 21

PEOPLE in Scotland won't be allowed to drink in pubs until the age of 21 if a proposal from Glasgow's top doctor is approved.

PEOPLE in Scotland won't be allowed to drink in pubs until the age of 21 if a proposal from Glasgow's top doctor is approved.

A Scottish government consultation has come under fire for suggesting raising the age for buying booze at an off-licence by three years.

But medics who bear the brunt of Glasgow's battle with the bottle have called for a complete ban on pub sales too, until drinkers reach 21.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, director of public health with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said the age limit for pubs has to rise to the same level to tackle the binge-drinking culture that wrecks lives.

Doctors believe it would help stop older teenagers buying carry outs for younger friends and immature 18-year-olds from drinking too much as soon as the law allows.

In the health board's response to the government's alcohol strategy, Dr de Caestecker says: "Raising the limit to age 21 years will help to prevent both of these issues."

She has joined colleagues at the board's Alcohol Action Team in going further and tabling a fresh proposal to raise the age for drinking in pubs to the same level.

The board's response to the government alcohol strategy also calls for a crackdown on pubs that sell to people who are already drunk.

Doctors have called for pubs to serve drinks in glasses clearly marked with the number of units of alcohol they contain to remind customers to stay within the daily safe limit.

For men that is three units a day, just under a pint and a half of average strength beer or three 25ml spirits measures.

For women the limit would be just two units - two small glasses of some stronger wines at around the 100ml mark - far less than the 250ml glasses of wine offered in many bars.

The doctors also want a ban on advertising, including sponsorship deals such as the one between Carling and the Old Firm, to cut drinking by young people.

The action team's report says: "The evidence base on this issue would suggest that an across-the-board increase in the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 would have substantial effects on youth drinking and alcohol-related harm.

"There is no such evidence for an age increase for off-sales only."

Dr de Caestecker told the Evening Times: "It won't be a popular policy but we have such a problem with young people binge-drinking that we believe it is needed."

She said the move would also help to prevent sales to people who were under age, saying, "The difference between a 14-year-old and a 21-year-old is much greater than with someone who is 18."

The health board also wants to introduce drunk tanks to look after people who are dangerously intoxicated and are currently left to sleep it off in jail after being arrested for being drunk and incapable.

Dr de Caestecker said: "It is inappropriate and unsafe to expect that a police cell would serve for this purpose."

Instead she wants to see facilities established where drunks can be assessed for head or other injuries, given vitamin injections and monitored to make sure they don't choke on vomit.

Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, accepted the age increase for buying drink at off-sales.

He said supermarkets had cashed in with irresponsible promotions when pubs had cleaned up their act.

He added: "As a result, the whole off-trade is being targeted, including independent retailers which are run differently."

He rejected the call to change the pub age limit but he said supplying glasses marked with units would be impractical as drinks varied in strength.

Mr Waterson added: "The reason the ministers are considering a difference in age limits between bars and off-sales is because of the work publicans do to stop underage drinking and make sure that people are not served when they are drunk."

The board wants more support for children whose lives are affected in any way by other people's drinking.

The report calls for tougher enforcement on breaches of the law and supports plans to cut the drink drive limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is among 215 organisations, 55 MSPs and 260 individuals, who responded to the consultation over the Scottish governments' proposals.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said the "unashamedly radical" ideas had received an enthusiastic reception.

She said: "We will take into account all of the views expressed as we develop legislation.

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

What do you think of the proposed changes?
ELIZABETH GORMAN, 38, nurse, city centre: It would maybe make young people think more about their drinking habits.	SIANNA BRUCE, 17, student, City Centre: I understand why they want change but young people can drink responsibly.	JOE GIBSON, 62, support worker, Dalmuir: Changing the age to 21 would be pointless and I don't see it making a difference.