Minimum unit pricing will stop children buying drink at “pocket money” prices Minister says

The newly introduced minimum unit pricing will stop children getting alcohol at “pocket money” prices Minister of State Frank Feighan has said.

The controversial new pricing law for retail alcohol sales has come into force from today, introducing a legal floor beneath which alcohol cannot be sold.

Section 11 of Public Health (Alcohol) Act sets a minimum price of €0.10 per gram of pure alcohol in a drink, specifically targeting drinks that are cheap relative to their price.

Minister of State for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan said “We are taking this action to ensure that cheap strong alcohol is not available to children and young people at ‘pocket money’ prices and to help those who drink to harmful levels to reduce their intake.”

“I am proud that Ireland is among the first countries in the world to introduce this measure and to take real action to help those who need it the most.”

Scotland was the first country in Europe to introduce minimum unit pricing in 2018, followed by Wales in 2020.

Other countries and territories which already have a legal minimum price include the Russian Federation, and regions in Australia and Canada.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said that this law is meant to reduce serious illness and death from alcohol consumption, and the pressure this puts on the health system.

“It worked in Scotland and I look forward to it working here,” Minister Donnelly said.