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We want to reduce hazardous and harmful drinking and have introduced a minimum price for selling alcohol.

First published:
12 July 2019
Last updated:

Why introduce minimum pricing?

The harm caused by alcohol is a major public health issue, leading to over 500 deaths a year. It affects individuals’ health, the NHS, the economy and families. 

We have introduced a minimum price for alcohol to help reduce harm. The policy targets harmful drinking and focuses on low cost, high strength products.

You may see an increase in the price of some products. These will be alcoholic products which were previously sold below the minimum price.

The law enabling us to set a minimum unit price was passed on 9 August 2018. This law is the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018.  

Agreeing the minimum unit price

We consulted on a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol of 50p. 

A minimum unit price of 50p was agreed by the National Assembly for Wales. It was introduced on 2 March 2020.