THE SCOTTISH Government has been warned of a backlash from young people and the licensed trade over plans to allow restrictions on under 21s buying alcohol from some off-sales, supermarkets and corner shops.

The Tories cautioned the SNP administration against engineering “a ploy” to introduce a blanket ban on under 21s from off-sales “by the back door”, while the Scottish Youth Parliament said giving local authorities scope to raise the purchase age of alcohol were “misguided and discriminatory”.

The SNP’s youth wing has also raised concerns, claiming drink problems are not restricted to the young, while the Scottish Grocers’ Federation said any use of the power to impose a sanction on rogue traders must be “based on compelling evidence”.

However, campaigners have welcomed the clearest statement yet that councils can impose age controls. Alcohol Focus Scotland said it was difficult to resist the argument for age restrictions, adding that America, which has strict rules on the purchase age, has seen alcohol harm and road accidents cut.

The Herald revealed yesterday local authorities now have the legal go-ahead to ban individual outlets from selling alcohol to people between the ages of 18 and 21, where the outlets have previously fallen foul of the law for selling drink to under 18s or where there is evidence of sales to underage teens. It would also apply to areas suffering from a problem with teenage drinking.

Draft guidance on the incoming Alcohol Etc (Scotland) Act 2010 shows local authorities can, on a case-by-case basis, impose an over 21s-only limit on off-sales, corner shops and supermarkets.

But Conservative health spokesman Murdo Fraser said: “It is ludicrous to suggest Scotland’s student population cannot purchase alcohol and it will do nothing to promote Scotland as a place to study.

“If off-sales premises are found to be selling alcohol to under 18s then surely the best solution is to revoke their licences rather than penalise responsible 18 to 21 year olds?”

Liam Burns, president of NUS Scotland, added: “The Government urgently needs to clarify its position. Will the guidance it is planning to produce for local licensing boards implement the will of Parliament, or circumvent it? The backlash from young people across Scotland will be severe if the Government’s response is that licensing boards are allowed to apply age restrictions.”

Hamira Khan, chief officer of the Scottish Youth Parliament, added: “We urge licensing boards to resist these ill-thought, knee-jerk proposals which have the potential to alienate young people, create a confusing ‘postcode lottery’ of age limits across the country, and do nothing to address Scotland’s problematic relationship with alcohol.”

Others were more positive. Alcohol Focus Scotland chief executive Dr Evelyn Gillan said: “If retailers are being irresponsible, then this provides an option to take further steps. If they are breaking the law, this will be a useful tool for boards. It allows boards, if they have the evidence, to impose sanctions and I can’t see how people could have a problem with that.

“We have very good evidence from the USA which links increased purchase age from off-sales with a reduction in harm, such as road traffic accidents.”

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson, who had a Pilot 21 initiative in the Larbert area of his Falkirk West constituency, said: “I have seen ,in my own constituency, the positive impact raising the off-sales limit to 21 can have in reducing underage drinking and anti-social behaviour.”

Labour’s health spokesman Dr Richard Simpson said: “Labour supports tough action against retailers who breach licensing conditions, especially those caught selling alcohol to minors. However, we believe a blanket under 21 ban would be a disproportionate response.

“It is only right that people are punished for breaking the law, not because they just happen to be a certain age.”