A bevvy levy

>>Health groups demand 'booze & fags' tax on shops >>But retailers warn of price increases and fewer stores

- PAUL HUTCHEON

A NEW "booze and fags" tax on shops has been demanded by health campaigners in the SNP's Budget next month.

A powerful coalition of 24 health groups says higher business rates for retailers are needed to raise vital funds for drug and alcohol treatment and save lives.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison is locked in talks with opposition parties ahead of her Budget on December 4.

And there is pressure from health campaigners and the SNP's former Green Party coalition partners to introduce a levy on shops that sell alcohol and tobacco.

In a letter to Robison, the NonCommunicable Diseases Alliance Scotland says the Budget should introduce a "public health supplement" on retailers selling "health-harming products" such as alcohol and tobacco.

The number of people in Scotland whose death was caused by alcohol in 2023 was 1277-the largest in 15 years.

The alliance, made up of 24 groups including obesity, alcohol and tobacco campaigners, points to estimates showing that nearly £60million could be raised, with 86 per cent of the revenues raked in from supermarket chains.

The money would come in the form of a levy on the commercial rates paid by stores.

In his letter to Robison, alliance chair David McColgan wrote: "The cost of health-harming products to our communities, wider society and our economy is vast with a particular impact on our NHS.

"Alcohol harms alone are estimated to cost Scotland between £5billion and £10billion each year, including up to £700million each year in health and social care costs.

"The annual cost of treating smoking-related diseases to NHS Scotland is estimated to be at least £300million a year and could exceed £500million a year.