Tackling the problem of underage drinking

Specifically targeting people who buy alcohol for young people, the Community Alcohol Campaign involves local agencies, off-licences and community in a joint effort to tackle underage drinking across Glasgow and the suburbs.

The campaign aims to support local off-sales businesses to comply with the law and feel confident to refuse inappropriate sales. It also aims to reduce the accessibility of alcohol to under 18s through the promotion of responsible sales, targets those who purchase alcohol for under 18s and help to decrease alcohol related anti-social behaviour.

The initiative was kick started at a special event in St Michael’s RC Church in Gallowgate, with off-licencees and representatives of community groups joined members of the Community Alcohol Campaign’s Steering Group.

The six month scheme was rolled out in the southside in March and this latest programme will target the north west of the city.

Steering Group member, Morven Bell, a Health Improvement Senior for Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership, which is a key member of the group, said: “With this campaign, we hope to raise awareness of the consequences for anyone caught buying alcohol for underage people. We’ve been working closely with licensees to address this by training them to recognise when alcohol is being bought for underage people and what to do about it.

“Many people are not aware that they could be fined up to £5,000 and receive a three months jail sentence for buying alcohol for under 18s.”

The campaign is a partnership between Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership, Glasgow Life, Police Scotland, Licensing Standards, Glasgow Council on Alcohol, Community Safety Glasgow and Clearer Choices Glasgow (part of AddAction).