A drinks body has called for Labour to abandon its plans for a new alcohol tax.
The Portman Group, whose members produce some of Scotland’s best-known whiskies, said targeting all drinkers with the levy will not help those who are addicted.
Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour’s health spokesman who lost her father to alcohol abuse, told Dundee conference the party would “end the predatory industry practices that saturate our poorest communities with betting shops, booze and unhealthy food”.
“We will enact the social responsibility levy on alcohol sales, potentially raising over £100 million a year,” Ms Lennon said.
The Portman Group, set up by firms including Diageo and Pernod Ricard to “promote responsible drinking”, has warned against the plan.
John Timothy, the association’s chief executive, said: “Proposing a new tax on the majority of consumers who drink within safe levels is not the way to address the misuse of alcohol by a small minority.
“We will be seeking a meeting with Monica Lennon MSP to highlight this good work and look at what more can be achieved by working in partnership.”
The suggested levy of £0.022 per unit of alcohol sold could raise £101m in public revenue.
Last year, pub bosses said that would squeeze the Scottish on-trade by an extra £15m.
