Health minister to impose MUP in Northern Ireland

The health minister for Northern Ireland plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol after “compelling” evidence suggested the measure would successfully reduce alcohol misuse.

The health minister for Northern Ireland plans to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol

The research was carried out by the University of Sheffield, and commissioned by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and the Department for Social Development (DSD).

Its findings showed that MUP reduces consumption and alcohol-related harm by ensuring alcohol cannot be bought at prices that do not reflect its strength, and as such will lower alcohol-related deaths, alcohol-related hospital admissions and crime.

As a result, health minister Jim Wells said he plans to introduce the measure to tackle the country’s “excessive” alcohol consumption.

“The total cost to the Northern Ireland economy is estimated to be as high as £900 million per year, with the burden to healthcare alone costing up to £240 million per year,” said Wells.

“Alcohol misuse remains a significant public health issue for Northern Ireland. We owe it to those individuals who drink heavily, and their families, to do something about this.”

Furthermore, the report showed that MUP is a targeted measure that would have a “modest” affect on moderate drinkers but a “much greater” impact on hazardous and harmful drinkers, who equate to approximately 20% of Northern Ireland’s population and drink nearly 70% of the country’s total alcohol consumption.

“The evidence in the University of Sheffield’s report is compelling and, subject to Executive agreement, I intend to put the issue out to public consultation and will be keen to see what feedback we get on this important issue,” Wells added.

The policy paper is anticipated to be drawn up for consultation over the next few months, which will guide and inform future decisions on any legislation needed to pass the MUP law.

It is being supported by Mervyn Storey MLA, minister for the Department of Social Development, which is responsible for alcohol licensing.

Earlier this year, the SWA spoke out against a study claiming a minimum pricing policy in the UK would mostly impact “harmful” drinkers.