By Keith Stewart

One of the strange ironies of local drinking cultures is the fact that the most common mixer with Scotch whisky in Scotland is lemonade. Now local body authorities in Glasgow have taken that a step further by recommending a change in drinking regulations that forces all licensed premises to serve on soft drinks in the last hour of service.

Given the reputation of Glasgow pubs as amongst the world's toughest, this decision is unlikely to be received with grace and generosity amongst the regulars in Drumchapel.

Along with a compulsory hour of lemonade supping, the Health Impact Assessment Report provided to the Glasgow City Council, The Glasgow Licensing Board and the Strathclyde Police also recommends leaflets that inform drinkers of the safe daily limits for alcohol consumption.

In a classic of Northern understatement, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association chief executive, Patrick Brown commented, "I am sceptical about the impact on customer behaviour."