DISCOUNTED alcohol sold in supermarkets would be outlawed if the Scottish National party came to power after the Holyrood election next year.

Stewart Maxwell, the nationalist MSP who pioneered the bill that banned smoking in public places, wants a ban on two-for one offers on beer and wine, free wine with groceries and promotions on alcoholic drinks in supermarkets and off licences.

The Licensing (Scotland) Act, passed by the Scottish parliament last year, banned promotions in pubs but stopped short of introducing restrictions in supermarkets and off licences.

“Pubs are heavily regulated but supermarkets are not. You can buy as much alcohol as you want,” said Maxwell, MSP for the west of Scotland. “Much of the antisocial behaviour follows from that.”

Earlier this month, Andy Kerr, the health minister, criticised supermarkets for using cheap alcohol to entice customers into their stores.

Last year, 2,052 people in Scotland died as a result of alcohol abuse, a rise of 21% since 2000.

There were also 40,448 acute hospital admissions involving an alcohol-related diagnosis, an increase of more than 13,000 since 1996.

Doctors and pressure groups welcomed the SNP’s stance.

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