Public consultation on the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in Northern Ireland

A public consultation on the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in Northern Ireland has been launched by the health minister on Tuesday 22^nd February for a 12 week period and will close on 17th May 2022.

More information on the consultation, are available at the following link.

While introducing the consultation Northern Irish Authorities put emphasis on the harm caused by alcohol consumption not only on individual’s health but on the whole society mentioning alcohol-related anti-social behaviours, the pressure on hospitals due to alcohol-related admissions, alcohol-related absenteeism at work, domestic or sexual violence, and increase of crime

Respondents to the consultation will be asked to provide feedback on:

• the overall policy aim of reducing the harm alcohol causes;
• if MUP for alcohol is the most effective way of achieving the policy aim;
• what information or evidence should be considered when setting a MUP for alcohol and the level MUP should be set at initially;
• if the level of the MUP should be varied over time and, if so, how;
• the mechanisms for setting the MUP, including the formula and how it will be monitored.