By Steve Bargeton, political editor

A RAFT of measures to tackle Scotland’s increasing obesity crisis was unveiled by the Government yesterday.

As had been widely forecast, new restrictions on TV ads for junk food are to be brought in.

There is to be widespread use of so-called “traffic light” coding for supermarket food, clearer labelling on alcohol and consideration to advice from “personal lifestyle gurus” on the NHS.

These were the main measures contained in the Westminster Government’s White Paper on Public Health, which will apply in Scotland.

The key recommendation of the paper was to ban smoking in cafes, restaurants and most pubs in England by 2008.

Last week First Minister Jack McConnell announced that he was taking a tougher line on smoking by bringing in an outright ban in all public places by the spring of 2006.

Launching the White Paper yesterday UK health secretary John Reid said urgent action was required to tackle obesity.

He said regulator OFCOM would be asked to launch a consultation on advertising to children on TV. It is expected that advertisers could be asked to limit ads for junk food until after the 9 pm watershed as part of voluntary moves.

“In an age when obesity has trebled in a generation and where, if the number of obese children continues to rise, we face the prospect of children having shorter life expectancy than their parents,” said Mr Reid.

“Parents know their children’s health is primarily their responsibility but they told us government, business and anyone who has an influence also shares that responsibility to protect children from premature exposure to a world of adult choices.”

“Parents want the security of knowing that will be done,” said Mr Reid.

Another measure that will apply in Scotland will be the introduction of a “simple code for processed food to indicate fat, sugar and salt content for shoppers.”

It is envisaged that a “traffic lights” system would be applied to supermarket foods, which would see red indicate foods high in salt, fat and sugar and green for fruit and vegetables.

The new labelling on alcohol products is expected to feature more detailed information about safe alcohol consumption.

Last night the Scottish Executive welcomed the proposals for food and alcohol labelling and for restrictions on TV advertising.

However, a spokesman said Scottish ministers would be, “assessing the impact of lifestyle gurus.”

Asked why Scottish ministers had decided to take their own action on smoking rather than go along with the proposals for the rest of the UK, the spokesman said, “It is quite clear we have a specific problem with smoking and smoking-related diseases.

“Cabinet has made their decision and we strongly stand by that.”

Meanwhile, an opinion-gathering exercise over smoking curbs in Scotland showed a clear majority in favour of reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, the Executive said yesterday.

A total of 82% of respondents to an Executive consultation thought action was needed and only 13% thought no action was necessary.

The figures came in a summary issued yesterday by the Executive on the consultation exercise.