New minimum unit pricing for alcohol will save lives according to a local TD and Government Minister.
The Government has approved the introduction of the new alcohol pricing regulation that will see increases in price for cheap, high alcohol content products.
Minimum unit pricing for alcohol will be introduced in January of next year following discussions by government ministers yesterday and wide cross party support.
Concerns have been raised that the measure will see more people travelling to the north in order to purchase cheaper alcohol, while addiction awareness groups are worried that people with severe drinking problems will face increased financial burdens rather than reduce their intake.
Minister of State at the Department of Health and local TD, Frank Feighan, says it will ensure that cheap strong alcohol is not available at what he calls 'pocket money' prices.
Addressing the concerns, the Minister says the positives of the measure will far outweigh any negatives:
