Wales – minimum unit price for alcohol back on the agenda
2017
In 2015, the Welsh Government consulted on the draft Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol Bill) which intended to:
- set a floor price for a unit of alcohol, meaning that alcohol could not be sold below that level; and
- affect drinks sold at cheap prices relative to their alcohol content.
Our previous article on the matter can be found here: 'Wales - 'Minimum pricing' now firmly on the agenda'.
The First Minister of Wales (Carwyn Jones) has been reported to have confirmed that the introduction of a mimumum unit price under the proposed Bill is now back on the legislative agenda and that implementation could take place within the next 12 months.
Similar plans to intoduce a mimumum unit price in Scotland several years ago were stalled with legal challenges with the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on the matter expected this summer, the outcome of which will likely affect whether the Welsh Government wil proceed with their proposal.
We shall keep you updated.