SGF Supports Youth Commission’s call for Greater use of Proof of Age Card

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has welcomed recommendations, published today by the Scottish Youth Commission on Alcohol, to promote the UK PASS and the Young Scot National Entitlement Card as the universally recognised proof of age card.

The Scottish Youth Commission on Alcohol was established by the Scottish Government to support young people make suggestions for policy and action to change Scotland’s culture in relation to alcohol. Sixteen people aged between 14 and 22 have completed a year long investigation.

John Drummond, Chief Executive of SGF said,

“SGF supports the Youth Commission’s view that a multi pronged approach to tackling alcohol must be adopted which places education from an early age high on the agenda.

“SGF members would welcome a culture change in which young people automatically provide proof of age when purchasing alcohol. We have repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to support a public awareness raising campaign to promote the proof of age element of the Young Scot card. It would stop alcohol getting into the wrong hands and protect sales staff from mistakenly selling alcohol to a person under the age of 18.

“The Commission also refers to the legislation surrounding alcohol advertising much of which is reserved to the UK Government. SGF has consistently warned the Scottish Government that unless advertising restrictions apply to all forms of advertising any restrictions the Scottish Government attempt to impose would be extremely damaging for small shops whilst playing into the hands of the supermarkets that have the resources available to utilise broadcast media to advertise alcohol.”