Minimum alcohol pricing: Health minister seeking law in NI

“In particular, I would welcome your advice on where to fix any minimum price. It might be 50p, it might be 55p, it may be somewhere else,” he told MLAs (assembly members).

“Figures indicate alcohol misuse costs Northern Ireland up to £900m a year, never mind the devastating impact on individuals, families and communities, and indeed the stress on the health service.

“In 2022, 356 people here died from alcohol-specific causes – that is the highest total on record,” he said.

Alcohol-related deaths were up to five times higher in the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland, said the minister.

The Scottish Government introduced minimum alcohol pricing in 2018.

The minimum unit price had been 55p per unit, but was increased to 65p in April this year.

It means a 700ml bottle of whisky must sell for at least £18.20, a bottle of wine with 13% alcohol for £6.34 and four cans of beer for £5.72.

The Scottish government said there was strong evidence that minimum alcohol pricing helped reduce alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions.

The Republic of Ireland’s government introduced minimum unit pricing on alcohol in January 2022.

Nesbitt said the legislation would complement the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, external currently going through Westminster.