The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) – which represents 1,500 pubs across Scotland – has launched legal action for a judicial review of Glasgow Licensing Board’s decision to ban the use of glass in the city’s pubs and clubs.

Patrick Browne, SBPA chief executive, said: “We accept that the board is acting in good faith to address the issue of glassing incidents in the city, but we also believe it is acting outside the powers given under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976. The use of plastic bottles or toughened glass is best determined on a premises by premises basis according to existing problems.”

“Furthermore, such a move would be costly for the industry as well as damaging to Scotland’s environment and Glasgow’s hospitality image.”

The Glasgow Licensing Board decided to ban the use of glass last December.

Unless the policy is reviewed, all pubs within the board’s area will be forced to serve drinks in toughened glass or plastic bottles from the end of January 2007.

Co-petitioners to the judicial review comprise individual licensees, including Punch Taverns, Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises, Mitchells and Butlers and Enterprise Inns.

Patrick Browne, SBPA chief executive, said: "The decision to amend the glass ban policy appears to be a positive move. However, we will continue our legal action against the board until we have assessed the full impact of the policy changes. We also expect the costs incurred by SBPA in raising the action to be met by the board."

Photograph: SBPA chief executive Patrick Browne