FMQs: First Minister urged to back levy on cigarette and alcohol retailers
Supermarkets and large retailers who profit from the increased prices of alcohol and tobacco products should pay towards vital services to support those struggling with addiction or diseases, says Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater.
Last year’s Budget, which was co-designed by the Scottish Greens, committed to developing such a levy, with a view to rolling it out in 2025/26. However it appears to have been shelved by the SNP since the Greens left government.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Ms Slater called for the Scottish Government to confirm that they still support and will include a public health levy on licensed retailers in their forthcoming budget.
Ms Slater asked the First Minister:
“In Scotland there are over 10,000 deaths a year as a direct result of alcohol, tobacco and obesity.
“Minimum unit pricing on alcohol in Scotland reduces the harms from cheap booze, but at present it is supermarkets and large retailers who profit from the increased price of alcohol, while our NHS is struggling.
“That’s why, when the Scottish Greens were in Government, we secured a commitment to reintroduce a levy on retailers profiting from the sale of alcohol and tobacco, which would help fund NHS services.
“Can the First Minister confirm whether his government still supports a public health levy, and will it be included in the draft budget when that is published in two weeks time?”
Ms Slater’s question comes as the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance Scotland has urged the Cabinet Secretary for Finance to include a levy in the upcoming budget, with polling showing that a majority of the public would support the move.
In her second question to the First Minister, Ms Slater said:
“This week, an alliance of 24 Scottish health organisations have backed the Scottish Greens calls for a public health levy in this year’s budget, and polling shows a majority of the public support it too.
“The Fraser of Allander institute estimates that it could raise at least £57 million a year, money which could pay for smoking cessation programmes, breastfeeding support in communities, or increased screening programmes for cancer.
“Why does the First Minister equivocate on this matter? He has had a whole year to design and consult on a new public health levy, so why is this not ready to be introduced now? And how will the First Minister respond to organisations calling for its urgent roll out?”