The law and alcohol – The law and alcohol – Section 2Section 2

Learning intentionLearning intention

Understand the laws in Scotland Understand the laws in Scotland about alcoholabout alcohol

Can a person under 18 buy and drink Can a person under 18 buy and drink alcohol legally in Scotland?alcohol legally in Scotland?

Can a person over 18 break the law Can a person over 18 break the law on alcohol?on alcohol?

Learning outcomeLearning outcome

By the end of this unit you should be By the end of this unit you should be able to answer the following questions:able to answer the following questions:

What does the law say?What does the law say?

Mostly when young people under 18 Mostly when young people under 18 buy or drink alcohol they are buy or drink alcohol they are breaking the law (Licence Scotland breaking the law (Licence Scotland Act 1976).Act 1976).

But a person over 16 can drink beer But a person over 16 can drink beer or wine (not spirits) where drinks are or wine (not spirits) where drinks are bought as part of a meal.bought as part of a meal.

Can under 18s be allowed on Can under 18s be allowed on licensed premises?licensed premises?

Children over 14 if they are with Children over 14 if they are with someone over 21, but not after 8pm someone over 21, but not after 8pm

Children of the licence holderChildren of the licence holder

Can anyone over 18 be refused Can anyone over 18 be refused alcohol?alcohol?

Yes – the licensee has the final say and Yes – the licensee has the final say and may decide not to let anyone under the may decide not to let anyone under the age of 18 or even 21 into the premises.age of 18 or even 21 into the premises.

Can anyone over 18 break the Can anyone over 18 break the law on alcohol?law on alcohol?

Yes, if they sell alcohol to anyone Yes, if they sell alcohol to anyone under 18under 18

Or if they buy alcohol for anyone Or if they buy alcohol for anyone under 18under 18

Any other laws I should know Any other laws I should know about ?about ?

Under Under The Local Government The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973(Scotland) Act 1973

Many local authorities have byelaws, Many local authorities have byelaws, which may forbid the drinking of which may forbid the drinking of alcohol in public.alcohol in public.

Police powersPolice powers

The Crime and Punishment The Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 (Scotland) Act 1997

This Act provides police with powers This Act provides police with powers to take alcohol from underage to take alcohol from underage drinkers in public places, and from drinkers in public places, and from those over 18 who are suspected of those over 18 who are suspected of supplying alcohol to underage supplying alcohol to underage drinkers.drinkers.

Alcohol and drivingAlcohol and driving

The Road Traffic Act 1988 (UK-The Road Traffic Act 1988 (UK-wide)wide)

This Act sets the blood alcohol limit –This Act sets the blood alcohol limit –currently 80mg per 100ml of blood – currently 80mg per 100ml of blood – and the penalties for offenders.and the penalties for offenders.

This Act applies to all drivers of all This Act applies to all drivers of all ages.ages.