Campaign to battle underage drinking
A Campaign to combat underage drinking on the Cotswolds streets will be launched in Tetbury this week.
The idea is to stop adults from buying alcohol for teenage drinkers and the campaign will highlight the health risks for youngsters and the penalties adults could face if caught.
The Don't Buy for Under 18's' campaign, a Cotswold District Council-led venture in partnership with Gloucestershire Police and local retailers, will be officially unveiled at the Tesco store in London Road, Tetbury, on Saturday July 19.
It will promote the message through retailers, who will enforce the scheme through shelf-edge labelling and posters in stores, special badges and extra training for retail staff and regular tannoy announcements from 6pm onwards informing shoppers of the issue.
Schools will also get on board as the campaign aims to inform young people about the problems of getting adults to buy alcohol for them, and the consequences of underage and binge drinking.
Other bodies involved include the Youth Service and Trading Standards, as well as local businesses, shops and schools.
The charity GDAS (Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Service) and GINI, part of the Young People's Substance Misuse Service, are also helping out with advice and support.
Cllr Clive Bennett, the Council's Portfolio Holder for Safe and Strong Communities, said: "This is an excellent programme and I commend the stance that Tesco are taking very highly.
"It is common knowledge that under-age drinking is very bad for youngsters' health, and anyone who gets involved in binge drinking can also get involved in anti-social behaviour. I would hope that all the other supermarkets and alcohol outlets would follow suit and also take this stance."
Other areas where the Don't buy for Under 18's' campaign will be launched later this year include Fairford, Lechlade and Cirencester, before it is rolled out to all the market towns in the Cotswolds.
Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard
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