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Minimum alcohol price law unveiled in Wales Minimum alcohol price law unveiled in Wales
(about 1 hour later)
A law to set a minimum price for selling alcohol in Wales has been unveiled.A law to set a minimum price for selling alcohol in Wales has been unveiled.
Ministers believe tackling excessive drinking could save a life a week and mean 1,400 fewer hospital admissions a year.Ministers believe tackling excessive drinking could save a life a week and mean 1,400 fewer hospital admissions a year.
Pricing is seen as a "missing link" in public health efforts, alongside better awareness and treatment.Pricing is seen as a "missing link" in public health efforts, alongside better awareness and treatment.
Under a 50p-a-unit formula, a typical can of cider would be at least £1 and a bottle of wine at least £4.69.Under a 50p-a-unit formula, a typical can of cider would be at least £1 and a bottle of wine at least £4.69.
A typical litre of vodka, for example, would have to cost more than £20.A typical litre of vodka, for example, would have to cost more than £20.
Alcohol experts from Sheffield University have studied the health picture, drinks market and consumption patterns in Wales.Alcohol experts from Sheffield University have studied the health picture, drinks market and consumption patterns in Wales.
The research has helped produce a formula based on the percentage strength of the alcohol and its volume to develop the minimum unit price (MUP).The research has helped produce a formula based on the percentage strength of the alcohol and its volume to develop the minimum unit price (MUP).
While alcohol consumption levels have been falling in recent years, health officials are concerned that:While alcohol consumption levels have been falling in recent years, health officials are concerned that:
Cheap drink in supermarkets and other licensed stores is the main target and the law will also address the issue of special offers in its fine detail.Cheap drink in supermarkets and other licensed stores is the main target and the law will also address the issue of special offers in its fine detail.
Alcohol sold below 50p per unit makes up 72% of the beer sales in Welsh shops and supermarkets, 78% of the cider sales, 42% of the wine and 66% of the spirits.Alcohol sold below 50p per unit makes up 72% of the beer sales in Welsh shops and supermarkets, 78% of the cider sales, 42% of the wine and 66% of the spirits.
The research suggests that although high-risk drinkers make up only a quarter of people who drink alcohol, they drink 72% of all alcohol consumed and account for 65% of all spending.The research suggests that although high-risk drinkers make up only a quarter of people who drink alcohol, they drink 72% of all alcohol consumed and account for 65% of all spending.
"There is a very clear and direct link between levels of excessive drinking and the availability of cheap alcohol," said Public Health Minister Rebecca Evans."There is a very clear and direct link between levels of excessive drinking and the availability of cheap alcohol," said Public Health Minister Rebecca Evans.
"So we need to take decisive action now to address the affordability of alcohol, as part of wider efforts to tackle alcohol related harm.""So we need to take decisive action now to address the affordability of alcohol, as part of wider efforts to tackle alcohol related harm."
It has been claimed it could:It has been claimed it could:
Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton said: "It will have a small impact on moderate drinkers.Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton said: "It will have a small impact on moderate drinkers.
"The most substantial effects will be experienced by harmful and hazardous drinkers, who are more likely to consume cheaper and higher-strength alcohol products.""The most substantial effects will be experienced by harmful and hazardous drinkers, who are more likely to consume cheaper and higher-strength alcohol products."
But Alex Loveland, a recovering alcoholic who supports people with dependency, is worried that it will not help them.But Alex Loveland, a recovering alcoholic who supports people with dependency, is worried that it will not help them.
"They're going to try to get alcohol by any means necessary and I think it will put more strain on very underprivileged people," he said."They're going to try to get alcohol by any means necessary and I think it will put more strain on very underprivileged people," he said.
The Welsh Retail Consortium has also expressed concern that minimum price may hit less affluent, moderate consumers of alcohol "whilst not necessarily having the desired impact on problem drinkers".The Welsh Retail Consortium has also expressed concern that minimum price may hit less affluent, moderate consumers of alcohol "whilst not necessarily having the desired impact on problem drinkers".
UKIP Wales leader Neil Hamilton AM said it was another example of the Welsh Government "sticking its nose into people's private lives".
"The problem is not alcohol but anti-social behaviour," he said. "The laws on public drunkenness need to be strictly enforced, as they used to be."
But addictions charity Cais said although the law would not solve alcohol problems on its own it was an "important day for Wales" and stressed that it would save lives.
The legislation is back on the table five years after the Welsh Government first looked at introducing it.The legislation is back on the table five years after the Welsh Government first looked at introducing it.
Legislation barrier
The measure had been removed from the most recent Welsh public health law as Scotland faced court challenges to its own legislation.The measure had been removed from the most recent Welsh public health law as Scotland faced court challenges to its own legislation.
The Supreme Court is expected to give its judgement within weeks to an attempt to block Scotland's minimum price legislation from being introduced.The Supreme Court is expected to give its judgement within weeks to an attempt to block Scotland's minimum price legislation from being introduced.
Ms Evans told BBC Radio Wales that the Welsh Government had moved "quickly" to introduce its own legislation because the powers to do so will be removed next April under the terms of the 2017 Wales Act.Ms Evans told BBC Radio Wales that the Welsh Government had moved "quickly" to introduce its own legislation because the powers to do so will be removed next April under the terms of the 2017 Wales Act.
"If we are going to act on this area it has to be now, even though we realise that there's a difficult legal context that we are working in," she said."If we are going to act on this area it has to be now, even though we realise that there's a difficult legal context that we are working in," she said.
Ministers in Wales hope it will become law by summer 2018.Ministers in Wales hope it will become law by summer 2018.
Councils would enforce the legislation through their existing inspection and trading standards regime - with powers of entry, prosecution and the issue of fixed penalty notices.Councils would enforce the legislation through their existing inspection and trading standards regime - with powers of entry, prosecution and the issue of fixed penalty notices.
Talks have been held with local government about funding towards its initial introduction.Talks have been held with local government about funding towards its initial introduction.