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Independent panel backs minimum pricing for Wales
Plans by the Welsh Government to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol have been backed by an independent advisory panel.
An independent panel of experts has backed plans to introduce minimum unit pricing in Wales
In a report to Mark Drakeford, health minister, the Welsh Government’s Advisory Panel on Substance Misuse (APoSM) concluded that evidence showed “the introduction of minimum unit pricing would target the most vulnerable groups in our communities and ameliorate the negative impacts of alcohol misuse”.
As such, it was unanimously recommended by the members of the APoSM that the Welsh Government should introduce minimum unit pricing.
Drakeford unveiled plans for a minimum alcohol price of 50p per unit back in April this year, which could potentially become law as part of a Public Health Bill for Wales scheduled for early next year.
“Alcohol health and social harm problems are preventable,” said Kyrie Ll James, chairman of the APoSM. “Expert evidence and research confirms cheaper drinks are favoured by those who drink hazardously or harmfully, and a minimum unit price would have a disproportionate targeting effect on problematic drinking, reducing alcohol problems and achieving health and other benefits from individuals and our communities as a whole.”
James added a minimum unit price would be “an effective mechanism through which alcohol-related harm can be addressed”.
Drakeford welcomed the report, describing the evidence as “indisputable”.
“It is no coincidence that as the affordability of alcohol has improved substantially so has alcohol-related death and disease,” he said. “A minimum unit price will make a strong contribution to preventing alcohol overuse and misuse and reducing alcohol-associated illnesses. The panel’s report supports this view.
“We will now develop our proposals further with a view to introducing the Public Health Bill early in 2015.”
In May, leaked documents revealed UK’s Labour party would introduce a minimum pricing policy for alcohol if elected to Government, despite the current UK Government scrapping plans last year over concerns it would unfairly target responsible drinkers.
Meanwhile in April, the Scotch Whisky Association’s legal challenge against the Scottish Government’s minimum pricing policy was referred to the European Court of Justice.