Republic of Ireland's plan for alcohol minimum pricing comes into effect

The new law will affect alcohol sold in off licences, shops and supermarkets

A decision by the Republic of Ireland's government to introduce minimum unit pricing on alcohol has come into effect.

The new law will affect alcohol sold in off licences, shops and supermarkets.

Some retailers fear unless similar measures are introduced in Northern Ireland there will be a surge in cross-border shoppers seeking "cheaper booze".

The government believes minimum pricing is a vital public health measure.

The measure aims to change dangerous patterns of alcohol behaviour with the intention of deterring binge drinking, RTE reported.

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Under the new measures, a standard bottle of wine cannot be sold for less than €7.40 (£6.40) and a can of beer for less than €1.70 (£1.40)

Spirits with 40% alcohol content cannot be sold for less than €20.70 (£17.30) and a 700 ml bottle of whiskey for less than €22. (£18.40)

The head of an alcohol addiction centre in Londonderry says the legislation may not have the desired effect in border areas

The head of an alcohol addiction treatment centre in Londonderry believes minimum unit pricing should be "an all-island issue".

Tommy Canning, who runs the Northlands Centre, called on the Northern Ireland Executive to "look seriously" at introducing similar legislation in Northern Ireland.

"It throws up the issue of decisions that are made around health on one side of the border and the implications that they have on the other," Mr Canning told BBC Radio Foyle.

Mr Canning believes that the legislation in border areas may not have the desired effect, as many people from the Republic of Ireland could go across the border to purchase their alcohol at a cheaper price.

"We welcome it in the round, although I would caveat that with that on its own minimum unit pricing isn't a panacea for the damage and devastation that we see," he said.

"This is only one part of the puzzle to help relieve and reduce alcoholism on the island of Ireland."

The measures affecting alcohol minimum pricing came into effect on Tuesday 4 January

Statistics from the country's Revenue Commissioners indicated that alcohol consumption levels in 2020 were 10.07 litres of pure alcohol per person, only slightly down - 6.6% - on the previous year despite the closure of many pubs and restaurants for large parts of 2020.

Alcohol consumption has remained at about 11 litres per person since 2015.

That is the equivalent of 116 bottles of wine or 445 pints of beer per adult every year.

Scotland introduced minimum unit pricing in 2018 and the following year alcohol consumption fell to its lowest level in more than two decades.