Alcohol-related deaths have more than doubled in Scotland in the last 15 years, while 40 percent of 15-year-olds and 15 percent of 13-year-olds surveyed by the government said they had drunk alcohol in the previous week.
The government is also considering minimum pricing of alcoholic drinks, as well as possible restrictions on the display of tobacco products in shops.
Salmond also announced plans to scrap council tax, a widely unpopular levy based on the value of a property, in favour of a local tax based on income.
He told parliament the current system was "regressive" and "unfair" and said the measure would save the average family up to 535 pounds a year.
Source-AFP
RAS/S