Time is being called on happy hours

The Scottish Executive's crackdown on binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour will be introduced in February 2008.

Pressure from the licensed trade for the reforms to apply only to new licenses was rejected.

The move, known as Grandfathers' Rights, would have allowed existing businesses to ignore the reforms.

The first changes in 27 years will end happy hours in pubs and other "irresponsible" drink promotions.

Scotland has an absolutely appalling record on alcohol George Lyon MSP Deputy Finance Minister

Sales drives based on the strength of a product or its appeal to young people will be banned in supermarkets and off licenses.

In "hot spots" where it is judged there are too many bars, publicans will be refused licenses and licensing standards officers will enforce the new laws.

The Licensing (Scotland) Bill will also target under-age drinking by requiring pubs, retailers and all other licensed traders to demand proof of age from young people.

Deputy Finance Minister George Lyon said the get-tough policy was intended to overhaul Scotland's "outdated" licensing laws.

'Domestic violence'

"Scotland has an absolutely appalling record on alcohol. The financial and human cost of irresponsible drinking is enormous," said Mr Lyon, who added that the rules would support responsible licensees while protecting the interests of communities.

"Far too many Scots are drinking harder, earlier and quicker than ever before.

"This has led to rising levels of alcohol-related crime, more days lost at work through drink-related illness and higher levels of domestic violence, often involving children, caused by alcohol misuse at home."

Landlords will not be able to keep their traditional hours

The minister rejected demands for a twin-track system, under which some pub owners would stick to the old regime.

"There will be some exemptions available to existing licensees in relation to specific issues but the executive does not propose to create a two-tier system with some continuing to operate under their existing conditions and hours," he said.

"I am sure most would agree that this would be a recipe for confusion and this would not be helpful to either the industry or the consumer."

Plans, outlined in the Nicholson Report, for the biggest reform of Scotland's licensing laws were published by the Scottish Executive in 2003.

The inquiry by Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson proposed, among many other suggestions, a national "proof of age" identity card.