An Alcohol Action Ireland representative doesn’t think minimum unit pricing will be a catalyst for a further rush to purchase alcohol in the North.
This comes as cabinet is set to decide on whether or not to approve the commencement of Section 11 of the 2018 public health alcohol act today, which Minister Stephen Donnelly says will reduce alcohol’s harms to health.
There are fears in the border region that this change would see consumers travel North to buy drink at cheaper prices, which in turn will economically impact businesses in the South, particularly those locally.
However, the Head of Communications and Advocacy with Alcohol Action Ireland Eunan McKinney says people already travel as drink has always been cheaper in the North and this change is targeting those overly dependent and young people, who are less likely to make such a trip.
He feels this will not be the catalyst local retailers fear:
