Catherine Stihler wrote to the European Parliament

One in 10 of all accident and emergency admissions - and a much higher proportion of those after midnight - are attributed to too much drink.

Alcohol is a key factor in nearly 50% of fire deaths in Scotland.

Strathclyde Police said much of last year's rise in violent and serious crime was drink-related.

The executive is concerned that syrupy "slammer" drinks are being promoted towards younger drinkers by manufacturers.

It is expected to lobby the UK Government to take up the issue with drinks chains.

'Binge' drinking

Scotland has one of the highest rates of binge drinking by 15-year-olds.

In the decade since alcopops appeared on the market, the number of 11, 12 and 13-year-olds admitted to hospital has doubled.

Deputy Health Minister Mary Mulligan said: "Drinking in moderation is compatible with a healthy lifestyle and does not cause a problem for most of us.

"At the same time there are worrying trends in excessive and harmful drinking and this is a problem for everyone, not just the individual concerned."

Ms Mulligan said alcohol problems cost Scotland at least �1bn each year, equivalent to more than 1.5% of Scottish gross domestic product.

'New generation'

Mary Ellmers, of the Servwise Training Project, said: "It is in the Scottish psyche if you like, to be a binge drinker and it may be in the UK psyche too.

"But we do see an increase in the kinds of promotions aimed at getting people to drink a lot in a short space of time."

Jack Law, of Alcohol Focus Scotland added: "It can kill people and there are incidences of alcohol-related deaths which are on the increase in Scotland at the moment."

Scottish Labour MEP Catherine Stihler has written to the European Parliament asking for the rules to be tightened.

Ms Stihler said: "There is a new generation of alcopops, as in shot-like products, which are being sold at the moment and I have serious concerns about it.

"Not just concerns about what it is causing amongst our young people, but because it is sold at such a cheap price and it is seen as a cheap way of getting drunk."