The Scottish Government are considering a proposal to increase the age limit on legal alcohol consumption from 18 to 21 in an effort to tackle the country’s growing alcohol problem. Over the past year, a few of the major supermarket chains have already increased their age limit to 21 and removed certain products from their shelves. Today, the town of Armadale became the first in Scotland to officially ban alcohol sales to under 21s in a pilot scheme that is likely to last for 6 weeks and if it is successful, the scheme may be extended to other towns over Scotland.

According to SHAAP, people in Scotland are twice as likely to die from an alcohol related health problem than anywhere else in the UK and the number of people diagnosed with liver disease has increased by 52% since 1998. Scotland also has one of the highest rates of teenage binge drinkers and even children as young as 11 are being admitted to hospital with alcohol related health issues.

The problems associated with alcohol abuse cost an estimated £1.1 billion each year and the increase in anti-social behaviour means Scotland has the dubious honour of being one of the most violent places in the world. The World Health Organisation reports we have the second-highest rate of murders in Europe and almost half of them are a direct result of alcohol consumption.

The big question is: is it too little too late?