Tackling proxy purchasing across the summer months
THE Scottish Government has backed the return of the ‘It’ll Cost You!’ campaign to help clamp down on proxy purchases for youths across Scotland.
Scottish minister for community safety Kirsten Oswald MSP has praised the collaboration between Police Scotland, local retailers and the alcohol sector to tackle the issue of underage drinking and street disorder.
Oswald said: “This campaign by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership is a welcome addition to the efforts in confronting underage drinking.
“Buying alcohol for anyone under 18 is a criminal offence and could result in a fine, imprisonment or both. It can put young people at risk of harm, increase their vulnerability and contribute to antisocial behaviour.
“This campaign highlights the value of partnership working to tackle underage drinking and help keep our young people safe.”
The ‘It’ll Cost You!’ campaign has returned once again for this summer to spread the message around the dangers of proxy purchasing and the impact it can have on not only the consumer, but the store owner as well.
The campaign’s core message seeks to highlight that buying alcohol for minors could land you with a hefty fine, jail sentence or sometimes both.
Police Scotland will work with retailers and alcohol companies across Scotland to achieve this goal and highlight how serious an issue it remains across the country.
The campaign is a collaboration between Police Scotland, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) and Community Alcohol Partnerships.
Michelle Grant, chief inspector at Police Scotland, said: “This campaign showcases the benefits of key partners working together to inform the public of dangers associated with underage drinking, as well as the criminal consequences for supplying those under 18 with alcohol.”
Luke McGarty, chair of SAIP Campaigns Group and head of policy and public affairs at the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, said: “Retailers are successfully stopping underage alcohol purchase through the Challenge 25 scheme. It is vital, therefore, that adults buying alcohol for them instead are fully aware that it is a criminal act.
“The ‘It’ll Cost You!’ campaign fits perfectly with SGF’s position of promoting responsible community retailing. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the campaign again this year.”
