Health boards across Scotland will receive a share of £36m Scottish Government to help introduce a range of measures to tackle alcohol abuse.

Local alcohol and drug partnerships will decide the services required in each area to meet local needs as part of efforts to improve health levels. However, all local areas will prioritise brief interventions in a bid to tackle the problem of harmful drinking habits before it causes long-term health problems.

Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "It's vital that we tackle Scotland's drinking culture - too many people are drinking too much, too often and although they may not realise it it's having a detrimental effect on their health."