Most people agree that the alcohol culture in Scotland must change. Anybody out and about on a Friday and Saturday evening will have seen the unpleasant effects of over-indulgence.

We all know the medical impact of too much alcohol. Health professionals warn that too much alcohol harms the liver, contributes to obesity and causes stomach ulcers and a host of other unpleasant conditions. Drunkenness is also often linked to crime and antisocial behaviour.

So, changing Scotland’s relationship with alcohol could be seen as the Holy Grail for politicians. As such, it is unsurprising that the Scottish Government was quick to bring forward radical plans to tackle alcohol abuse. The aim, to change the alcohol culture in the country, is laudable, but the content is disturbing.

The SNP is consulting on a raft of measures to tackle alcohol abuse – many of which Liberal Democrats could support. But one we oppose is the proposal to raise the legal age limit for buying alcohol in off-sales premises to 21.

Under this policy students would be banned from off-sales outlets. An 18 year-old student would no longer be able to buy a bottle of wine to add some flavour to spaghetti bolognaise, that perennial student favourite. A 19 year-old student wouldn’t be able to buy a six pack of beer to take to a flat party. A 20 year old student wouldn’t be able to buy a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate graduating.

Is the SNP seriously suggesting that stopping this kind of alcohol purchase is going to change the drinking culture in Scotland? It won’t, but it will send a clear message to those aged between 18 and 20, and that message is that the SNP see all these young people as irresponsible drinkers and part of the problem of binge-drinking and alcohol abuse.

We agree that if we are to change successfully the drinking culture in this country, then it’s important to engage with young people. But, Liberal Democrats believe that young people should be part of the solution, not just part of the problem.

Moreover, the SNP’s plan also ignores the evidence: the Liberal Democrats obtained information showing that very few retailers are prosecuted for selling alcohol to minors. Our figures show that although last year the police recorded 357 offences of licensed retailers selling alcohol to minors, only 70 were prosecuted. Before the SNP gets carried away about raising the drinking age, ministers need to make sure that existing laws are enforced properly.

Our opposition to this particular measure should not detract from our determination to tackle alcohol misuse. We have proposed our own measures to the Scottish Government and we will continue to press ministers to take these forward as part of a package of measures.

We are calling for a sustained government campaign to challenge attitudes to alcohol, as supported by NHS Health Scotland. We want a crackdown on rogue retailers who continue to sell alcohol to people who are underage and a supermarket summit to agree to curb the availability of cheap drink. Supermarkets must no longer be allowed to cite competition as an excuse for lowering the price of drink. Sensible sale of alcohol should be a key corporate social responsibility.

The ready availability of cheap alcohol products is one of the contributory factors to Scotland's serious alcohol problem, especially amongst young people. Earlier this month I proposed that the Health Secretary needed to summon the supermarkets to agree a strategy to curb the availability of cheap drink.

Preventing under 16's from buying alcohol is just one part of the battle against alcohol abuse. We also need to encourage young people to choose not to drink. The Scottish Government can help by supporting alternative, alcohol-free activities for young people like midnight basketball and youth cafes. What is more, it is important to remember that Government alone will not solve Scotland’s alcohol problem. Irresponsible drinking is an issue for every Scot, regardless of their age: we have a personal responsibility to moderate our alcohol intake.

Tackling Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with the bottle should be a key priority for the Government. But at the same time, knee-jerk responses that unfairly demonise all young people as irresponsible drinkers are not the answer.