National Assembly for Wales

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Supports the general principles of the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Bill.

Regrets the adverse impact that the Bill may have on the budgets of households on low incomes and that it may lead to the substitution of alcohol for illicit substances.

Supports amending the Bill, as recommended by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, in order to produce an evaluation report that makes reference to the impacts of minimum pricing by reference to age group, gender and socio-economic status, substitution behaviour, domestic violence, impact on support services and the impact on alcohol retailers.                  

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Notes the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Bill which is currently being scrutinised by the National Assembly.

Notes a proposed minimum unit price for alcohol is only one of the Welsh Government’s measures to tackle the harms associated with harmful and hazardous alcohol use in Wales.

Notes the £50m package of support for people with alcohol and substance use problems in Wales every year.

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Notes that public health measures require the support of the public to be successful and that, to achieve this, the minimum price needs to be a set a level that is underpinned by robust research that can demonstrate the public health impacts, and recognises the need to avoid disproportionately affecting moderate drinkers on lower incomes.

Calls on the Welsh Government to accompany the legislation with an extensive communications campaign that explains the aims and purpose of the legislation, including steps moderate drinkers can take to minimise the financial impact on themselves, for example through reducing consumption overall or choosing drinks with lower alcohol content; both of which would bring health benefits.

Recognises the potential benefits of minimum unit alcohol pricing for pubs.