Minimum pricing for alcohol will kick in today, Tuesday 4th January 2022
Image via Pixabay.comThe long-planned introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol makes Ireland the first to introduce the measure.
The change comes as part of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.
It aims to target products that are cheap in comparison to their strength.
This means the price of the drink is determined by the amount of alcohol in it, regardless of where it is sold.
The higher the alcohol percentage, the higher the price.
It is set to impact off licenses and stores more than pubs and restaurants.
According to Newstalk:
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says the law is designed to "reduce alcohol consumption, to reduce the harms caused by the misuse of alcohol and to delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people".
Donnelly also said:
"Today Ireland joins a small number of countries in the world to introduce minimum pricing.
“This measure is designed to reduce serious illness and death from alcohol consumption and to reduce the pressure on our health services from alcohol related conditions.
“It worked in Scotland and I look forward to it working here.”
As a result some supermarket alcohol prices are expected to rise significantly.
The Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) says some prices will be 10-15% more, while others will rise by 30-40%.
With the new changes products like large slabs of beer sold at promotional prices could now double in price as a result of the new pricing.
What does this mean for your wallet?
Alcohol pricing will be based on the grams of alcohol it contains
For example:
- A can of beer (500 mls, 4.3% ABV) - €1.70
- A bottle of wine (750 mls, 12.5% ABV) - €7.40
- A bottle of spirits (700 mls, 40% ABV) - €22.09
(ABV - Alcohol by Volume)
For example, previous to the rules, Lidl advertised a bottle of white wine (11% ABV) for €3.92. Under the new rules, the minimum price would rise to at least €6.50.
Supervalu, meanwhile, advertised 24-packs of beer cans at €18 yesterday. From today, those will no longer be able to be sold at prices below €40.
The biggest price increase will be seen in spirits, because of their higher alcohol percentage.
A 70cl bottle of vodka and gin will rise to a minimum price of €20.71, while whiskey will not be sold for less than €22.09.
Retailers are concerned about cross-border purchasing and that until rules are introduced in Northern Ireland people will still buy cheap alcohol in the North.
