McCarthy supports plans for a minimum pricing of alcohol

Alliance Health spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy MLA has welcomed the plans by the Health Minister for a minimum pricing per unit of alcohol. Jim Wells has said that he hopes to launch a consultation shortly and that he has the support of the Social Development Minister.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “I believe that we should be setting a minimum pricing of alcohol in Northern Ireland to protect people’s health and to reduce the financial cost of the consequences of binge drinking. We must look at a wide range of measures to tackle this problem but reducing the availability of cheap drinks is a straightforward option that could be done relatively simply.

“The cost of excessive alcohol consumption is staggering, both to our economy and our health system, which often bears the brunt of the consequences.

“It is important that alcohol is promoted and consumed responsibly, and this would be helped by minimum pricing.”

ENDS

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