MUP-beat about it?
Supermarkets and off licences in Cork are determined not to let the new law for minimum unit pricing on alcohol have too big an impact on sales despite mixed feelings amongst the public.
The new law, which came into force on Tuesday, is designed to tackle negative drinking habits in Ireland and reduce associated serious illnesses.
The minimum unit pricing (MUP) law will mainly affect shops, off licences and supermarkets, while pubs, clubs and restaurants will not be impacted.
Evelyn Jones, Government Affairs Director of the National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) said: “As independent, specialist off licences, NOffLA strongly promotes the responsible retailing of alcohol. NOffLA supported the Public Health (Alcohol) Act including Minimum Unit Pricing since the enactment of the legislation in 2018, as a targeted alcohol pricing policy solely to control the retail of ultra-cheap alcohol products.”
A spokesperson for Lidl Ireland said: “As a discount retailer with a clear commitment to providing quality products at affordable prices, Lidl does everything possible to keep the price paid by our customers to a minimum. However as with all retailers, minimum unit pricing will have an impact on the price of some products.”
Also commenting on the new law was John Curtin, Group Buying Director, Aldi Ireland, who said: “We have been planning for this significant change in alcohol pricing for some time now and we will continue to take a responsible approach to the sale of alcohol at all our stores, and fully comply with all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.” Under the new legislation, the lowest price that can be charged for a gram of alcohol is ten cent.
This means that a 14 per cent bottle of wine will not be sold for less than €8.28, a bottle of 37.5 per cent sprits will not be sold for less than €20.71, and a bottle of 43 per cent spirits will not be sold for less than €23.75.
According to drinkaware.ie, minimum unit pricing will primarily increase the cost of very strong alcohol that is often sold at very low prices.
However, most premium brands will see no price change as they are already being sold above the minimum price per gram as outlined in the new legislation. Ireland is now one of a small number of countries in the world to introduce minimum pricing. Scotland was the first in Europe to introduce it in 2018 followed by Wales in 2020. Other countries and territories which already have a legal minimum price include the Russian Federation and regions in Australia and Canada.
Welcoming the introduction of the new law were Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan.
Minister Donnelly said: “This measure is designed to reduce serious illness and death from alcohol consumption and to reduce the pressure on our health services from alcohol related conditions. It worked in Scotland and I look forward to it working here.” Minister Feighan added: “We are taking this action to ensure that cheap strong alcohol is not available to children and young people at 'pocket money' prices and to help those who drink to harmful levels to reduce their intake. I am proud that Ireland is among the first countries in the world to introduce this measure and to take real action to help those who need it the most.”