THE SNP Scottish government has “lost it way” on public health and its inaction will “prolong the suffering of those most in need,” health experts warned yesterday.

The Non-Communicable Disease Alliance Scotland (NCDAS), a coalition of 24 health organisations, made the remarks as they published Creating A Healthier Scotland, setting-out their 10-year vision to fundamentally change Scotland’s poor health.

Just one week after figures showed Scotland continued to have the lowest life expectancy in western Europe, the document calls for action such as new or increased taxes and restricting marketing to change the nation’s relationship with alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food.