HEALTH campaigners are calling for an increase on taxes on the cheap alcohol being sold in the North-East.

A report compiled by Public Health England revealed that alcohol is the leading cause of illness and death among 15 to 49-year-olds, with 167,000 years of life lost among the working age population.

Balance, the North-East alcohol office, states a tax hike on the cheapest alcohol on sale would save lives, reduce costs to the NHS and ease pressure on public services.

Balance added that the North-East has the highest rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions and the highest number of youth drinks in the country, which costs around £1 billion to the region’s economy.

Colin Shevills, director of Balance, said: “Cheap alcohol is costing the North-East more than we can afford.

“We have always known the damage it is causing to our health – what Public Health England’s report reveals is that it is significantly damaging our economy too.

“It is time for the Government to step in to protect children and other vulnerable groups by increasing the duty on white cider in the next budget.

“And by introducing a minimum unit price the Government would be targeting the cheapest strongest products while leaving pub prices untouched.”

Balance revealed earlier this year that a three-litre bottle of white cider, containing the equivalent of 22 shots of vodka, is widely available for £3.99.