CAMPAIGNERS in the North-East are urging the Government to protect youngsters by increasing duty on spirits in the emergency Budget.

The call by Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, follows research which reveals spirits - and vodka in particular - is among the most popular drinks of children treated for alcohol-related complaints.

Alcohol misuse in the region - which currently has the highest rate of alcohol-specific hospital admissions for under-18's - is estimated to cost the NHS £242 million.

Balance says a rise in spirit duty of four per cent above inflation would help relieve the financial strain on the NHS and help protect children.

A survey of 12 to 20-year-olds surveyed in six of the region's treatment centres found their favoured brands were: Foster's lager; Frosty Jack's cider; own brand vodka; Smirnoff vodka and Jack Daniel's whiskey. Budweiser lager and Strongbow cider were also popular.

Colin Shevills, Director of Balance, said the alcohol industry had benefitted from significant tax cuts and the end of the alcohol duty escalator during the coalition Government.

"These kinds of tax cuts put our children at risk. The Chancellor needs to ensure he protects the most vulnerable members of society by not bowing down to the alcohol industry and supporting targeted alcohol policies such as the spirits duty rise.

"Spirits are becoming increasingly popular amongst this age group and a rise in spirit duty will make the strongest and most dangerous products that end up in the hands of our children less attractive to young people."

However, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: “Consumers have already faced a whopping 40 per cent increase in spirits duty since 2008, which means that around three quarters of the average priced bottle of spirits, nearly £10 per bottle, is paid to the Treasury in tax.

"This means a quarter of all EU spirits duties across member states is collected by the Treasury here in the UK. Higher taxes simply stifle the industry’s ability to grow and create jobs and penalise responsible drinkers while doing nothing to target the irresponsible few that misuse alcohol”.

Figures released by Public Health England for 2011/12 to 2013/14 reveal that in England there were 40.1 alcohol-specific hospital admissions for under-18's per 100,000.

In the North-East region this rose to 65.8 per 100,000 admissions - with the five highest areas being: South Tyneside 90.4; Sunderland, 86.6; Darlington, 84.8; Middlesbrough, 79.9 and Redcar & Cleveland, 77.4.

Actual figures for under-18 alcohol-related hospital admissions were unavailable.

Mr Shevills also called for a curb on alcohol advertising.

"It comes as no great surprise that cheap, strong own brand vodka and Frosty Jack's cider are among the five most commonly consumed alcohol brands alongside heavily promoted products such as Smirnoff, Fosters and Jack Daniel's.

"Alcohol industry advertising continues to reach the most vulnerable members of our society with products sold at pocket money prices and advertising which promotes drinking as a means to have fun.

"In the UK, TV advertisements for alcohol are saeen by children more often than adults. They must be restricted by Government if we want to reduce the harm that alcohol is currently causing younger generations."