PLANS to ban junk food promotions to help drive down obesity have been set out by Scottish ministers.
The proposed restrictions would include multi-buy deals such as buy one get one free, incentives such as toys or loyalty points, unlimited refills, checkout displays, coupons and free samples.
The move would affect products high in sugar, fat and salt such as sweets, biscuits, crisps, cakes and sugary soft drinks, and could potentially be expanded to cover ice cream and dairy desserts.
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A consultation is scheduled for autumn on detailed plans which will look at banning energy drinks to under-16s and a separate strategy for takeaway food.
A code of practice will be drawn up next year to restrict junk food advertising on sites such as bus shelters, stations and inside buses and trains while the Advertising Standards Agency will be called on to remove these types of adverts from a 800m radius of schools.
The new strategy includes plans to encourage women to start pregnancy at a healthy weight and more training for health professionals to refer children and families to parenting support, cooking classes and child health weight programmes if needed.
Public health minister Joe Fitzpatrick said: "Far too many people in Scotland face serious risks to their health linked to poor diet and unhealthy weight.
"This is unacceptable and it's largely avoidable. Scotland has a proud history of taking decisive action on public health and this is the next step in that journey, turning our attention to the nation's diet and weight.
"Giving children the best possible start in life is one of this government's key priorities. We've pledged to halve childhood obesity by 2030 and that ambition is at the heart of our delivery plan."
Cancer Research UK described the plan as "ambitious".
The charity's Professor Linda Bauld said: "It's positive news that the Scottish Government will consult on plans to restrict the price promotions that are fuelling the nation's obesity crisis, but it is vital that these plans lead to laws that restrict these promotions."
Professor Steve Turner, Scotland officer for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "With 29% of children in Scotland overweight or obese, this encouraging delivery plan comes at a pivotal time.
"Just like the rest of the UK, Scotland is struggling to get a grip on obesity rates but these bold policies are the catalyst required to create good health."
However, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland said it was "deeply disappointed".
Chief executive David Thomson said: "FDF Scotland has been clear that these restrictions are most likely to affect smaller Scottish businesses who use pricing and promotions to increase on-shelf visibility.
"Instead of punishing Scottish businesses we would urge the Scottish Government to work in partnership with the food and drink manufacturing industry to make a real difference to the health of the Scottish people."
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Scottish Retail Consortium head of policy, said: "Where the Government brings forward clear evidence and a targeted approach, the retail industry will continue to engage constructively."
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs urged the government to take swift action.
"This has been a government too keen on words, and too shy of action on a range of important topics," he said.
Scottish Greens Alison Johnstone MSP said ministers had been too soft on business.
"Sadly, the government's plan is still focused on encouragement and future consultations when we urgently need bold action," she said.
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said: "The Scottish Government has claimed to be focusing on this for the two years I've been an MSP but still we've seen no meaningful change."
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