Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary Margaret Smith MSP has urged the Scottish Government to focus on cracking down on retailers who sell alcohol to under 18s.

Official figures published today show that liquor licensing offences soared by 40 per cent last year and the most common offence was selling alcohol to under 18-year-olds.

The Scottish Government is proposing to raise the drinking age for off-sales from 18 to 21, but Liberal Democrats believe that Ministers should concentrate on enforcing the existing drinking age.

Commenting, Mrs Smith said:

“I’m really disappointed that the number of retailers selling alcohol to minors has doubled in the last year. I hope that these figures can be partially explained by greater vigilance and the success of test purchasing schemes. There must, however, be a crackdown on these rogue retailers caught flouting the law, who should then feel the full force of our justice system.

“Ministers should focus on ensuring that the current drinking age is enforced rather than pursuing an alcohol policy that will demonise all 18 to 20 year olds as irresponsible drinkers.

“We think that as long as the current laws are enforced, there is no need to raise the drinking age for off-sales. Our young people are part of the solution to Scotland’s lethal relationship with alcohol, not just part of the problem.”