Charities hit out at Nats’ failures over health harm

LEADING health charities have criticised the Scottish Government’s record on tackling booze, tobacco and junk food harms.

A report by ten health groups shows the SNP administration failed to hit four of six targets.

Scotland has long had higher alcohol and tobacco death rates and rates of obesity than other parts of the UK.

Charities, including Alcohol Focus Scotland, Ash Scotland and Obesity Action Scotland, now want action.

They warned that non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, liver, and lung disease, accounted for 40,000 deaths in 2020 – more than 62 per cent of the total. They also pointed out that 7,800 of those could have been prevented.

Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: ‘The devastating rise in deaths from alcohol in 2020 saw the highest level since 2008.’

Jonathan Roden, of British Heart Foundation Scotland, said: ‘It is a national imperative that the Scottish Government makes improving the health of our nation a priority.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We’re committed to tackling issues such as smoking, obesity and alcohol misuse. Work is under way to deliver a range of measures to target these harmful behaviours early and provide person-centred treatment when needed.’