Time Running Out to Introduce Alcohol Minimum Pricing
The health minister has indicated that the opportunity for the Northern Ireland executive to implement alcohol minimum pricing is closing "quite rapidly."
Mike Nesbitt is the fifth health minister to attempt to introduce minimum unit pricing following its initial proposal by the Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP) Edwin Poots in 2012.
With the assembly election scheduled for next May, there is limited time for ministers to pass the necessary legislation before then.
The minimum pricing framework is already established in Scotland and Wales, where alcohol cannot be sold for less than 65p per unit.
If Northern Ireland adopts similar restrictions, the price of a 2.5 litre bottle of cider would more than double from £5.99 to at least £12.20.
Effectiveness of Minimum Pricing
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, emphasized the effectiveness of minimum pricing in reducing alcohol consumption, related harm, and deaths.
"There is absolutely no doubt that minimum pricing is effective in reducing consumption, alcohol-related harm and deaths."
'Lives Would Have Been Saved'
Sir Michael urged Stormont ministers to consider implementing the measure urgently, stating that time is running out.
"This is a proven intervention," he told The View programme.
"It will reduce admissions to hospital from alcohol. It will reduce deaths directly attributable to alcohol, and the 130 odd cases of cancer that we see every year that are directly attributable to cancer."
Since the proposal was first made in 2012, Northern Ireland has recorded over 3,700 alcohol-related deaths.
"If we look at the evidence from Scotland, introduced in 2018 they've seen a 13% reduction deaths," said Sir Michael.
"That's 120 fewer people that are dying each year in Scotland as a consequence of the introduction of price."
Minister Nesbitt concurred with these observations.
"Some of those lives, I think inevitably, would have been saved.
I can't put a figure on that, but I can tell you that all the evidence where minimum unit pricing applies in Scotland, Wales work in the Republic of Ireland, it saves lives."
'Not a Tax on the Poor'
Addressing a common misconception, Sir Michael stated that minimum pricing is not a tax on the poor.
"This is basically a specifically targeted to intervention, to assist individuals who are drinking at problem levels.
The evidence also clearly demonstrates that it will prevent people increasing their alcohol consumption to problem levels, and there's good evidence emerging that it will have a positive impact on young people, delaying their onset of consuming alcohol and delaying their increase in alcohol consumption."
He further explained that the measure is targeted and would not affect the 80% of people who consume alcohol within low-risk guidelines.
'Frustration Over Lack of Progress'
Minister Nesbitt expressed frustration over the absence of substantive discussions on minimum pricing despite submitting several papers to his executive colleagues.
Three of the four parties in the power-sharing executive support the proposal, but Nesbitt noted that some senior DUP members have expressed opposition.
"I'm not entirely sure why... I have asked, but I don't particularly understand the logic."
A DUP spokesperson stated the party will engage with the health minister to "achieve proposals which can both achieve consensus and make the meaningful impact on alcohol related harm that everyone wants to see."
Nesbitt is required to provide an update to the Northern Ireland assembly by 6 April if the legislation is not introduced by that date.
More details on this story will be available on BBC The View at 22:40 GMT on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC .
