29 September 2008
Scottish Executive to debate under 21 ban proposals
UPFRONT, news, night online, COMMENTS
Opposition parties within the Scottish Parliament have forced a debate and vote on the Scottish Government's proposals to raise the minimum purchase age for alcohol in off-sales from 18 to 21.
The debate, which will not be legislatively binding, will take place on Thursday 2 October. The Conservative Party, Green Party, Labour Party and Liberal Democrat Party expected to voice their opposition to the government's plan.
The Coalition Against Raising the Drinking Age in Scotland (CARDAS) - whose members include the Scottish Youth Parliament and the National Union of Students - will be lobbying MSPs in the run up to the vote. The Coalition has already submitted a 10,000 strong petition and a 67 page consultation response against the plans, and has given evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Public Petition's Committee.
Tom French, Coordinator for the Coalition Against Raising the Drinking Age in Scotland, said:
"We very much welcome moves to force an open and honest debate in the Scottish Parliament on this daft and discriminatory proposal.
“With such a wealth of evidence now clearly highlighting that raising the minimum purchase age will not help tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland it is about time that the Scottish Government faced the music and allowed these plans to be openly scrutinised so they can be seen for what they are.
“I am certain that MSPs will have the sense to vote down these plans and instead put forward evidence-based solutions to the alcohol problem."
From: Night Online
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