Andy Kerr said some retailers sold alcohol without proper checks

Since 2005, children under the age of 16 have been allowed to "test purchase" alcohol as part of "sting" operations to catch rogue shopkeepers.

About 17% of the 810 premises targeted during the Fife pilot failed the test and six had their licenses suspended.

The Grocers Federation said retailers needed "less blame and more support".

Health Minister Andy Kerr said: "Communities across Scotland are blighted by the problems associated with under-age drinking, and rolling out test purchasing will give us a valuable tool in the fight against this.

"I know that the vast majority of retailers take their responsibility very seriously but we need to take action against the minority who sell alcohol without carrying out the proper checks.

"The findings of an interim evaluation report on the alcohol test purchasing pilot clearly show that the scheme can be carried out safely, fairly and effectively and we now want to replicate that success across Scotland."

Politicians are keen to blame retailers whilst being unprepared to make investment in a national proof-of-age scheme John Drummond Scottish Grocers Federation

However, John Drummond of the Scottish Grocers Federation said that since 2003, the Scottish Executive had increased the burden on retailers and shop workers.

"With five changes in three years to the laws surrounding the sale of age restricted products, retailers need less blame and more support," he said.

"Politicians on all sides are keen to blame retailers whilst being unprepared to make investment in a national proof-of-age scheme."

He said this was promised by ministers four years ago.

However, Mr Kerr said there was no shortage of proof available, including passports, driving licences and the Young Scot Card.

The executive has now published an updated action plan to tackle alcohol problems, which sets out a range of measures on prevention, education, treatment, protection and controls.

Alcohol misuse is estimated to cost the economy more than �1bn a year.

'Alarming rate'

New figures from the Office of National Statistics revealed that the alcohol-related death rates for men and women in Scotland were about double the UK-wide rates in 2002-04.

"One person in Scotland dies every six hours as a direct result of alcohol and deaths from liver cirrhosis are rising at an alarming rate," Mr Kerr said.

"The links between alcohol misuse, anti-social behaviour and violence are clear.

"This plan outlines a range of government action, as part of a long-term process of cultural change."

The plan also includes support to ensure licensing boards can control the spread of licensed premises through the Licensing Act.

Education programme

It will also help develop a research-based substance misuse school education programme.

Alcohol Focus Scotland raised concerns over the five-year gap between the publication of the original plan in 2002 and the latest update.

Chief executive Jack Law said: "What is needed is action on both the price of alcohol and its availability, issues that are not effectively addressed in this plan."

Mr Kerr admitted he was concerned about the availability of cheap drink, particularly in supermarkets.

"It's a worry, yes it's an issue and yes it's something I want to continue discussions around," he said.