Minimum unit pricing explained

Minimum unit pricing is included in the Public Health Alcohol Act 20181 . It was enacted on January 4th 2022.

What is the aim of minimum unit pricing?

The goal of minimum unit pricing is to stop strong alcohol from being sold in supermarkets and shops at very low prices. 

What is minimum unit pricing?

Minimum unit pricing will set a minimum price of any alcoholic drink dependent on how much alcohol (in grams) is in it.

Under minimum unit pricing, the lowest price that can be charged for a gram of alcohol is 10 cent.  A standard drink (see below) has 10g of alcohol in it.  The lowest price therefore that could be charged for one standard drink once the law is in operation would be €1.

 

red-wine
14% glass of wine = 1.1 standard drinks
100 ml
bottle-red-wine
14.5% bottle wine = 8.2 standard drinks
750 ml
white-wine
12.5% glass wine = 1 standard drink
100 ml
quarter-bottle
12.5% 1/4 bottle wine = 2 standard drinks
187.5 ml
alcopop
4% bottle alcopop = 1 standard drink
275 ml
pint-larger
3% pint lager = 1 standard drink
568 ml
pint-cider
7% pint cider = 3 standard drinks
568 ml
pub-measure-spirits
40% pub measure spirits = 1 standard drink
35.5 ml
glass-baileys
17% glass cream liqueur = 1 standard drink
50 ml
glass-sparking-wine
11.5% glass sparkling wine = 1 standard drink
125 ml
can-cider
4.5% can lager = 2 standard drinks
500 ml
bottle-larger
4.5% bottle lager = 1 standard drink
330 ml
Source: McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods (2019)

What is a standard drink?

  • A standard drink is a measure of alcohol. In Ireland, one standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol.
  • Common examples include a half pint of 4.5% lager, 100ml glass of 12.5% wine and a 35ml pub measure of 40% spirits.

What will cost more?

Minimum unit pricing will primarily increase the cost of very strong alcohol that is often sold at very low prices. The legislation does not mean that the price of all alcohol will increase, it is a minimum price per unit (10 grams) of alcohol and alcohol that is currently being sold above this minimum price is unlikely to cost more when the legislation is enacted – most premium brands will see no price change.

The price of a pint or other alcoholic drinks sold in pubs, clubs or restaurants will not be impacted by minimum unit pricing. This is because most drinks sold in pubs and restaurants already cost more than €1 per standard drink (10g alcohol).

Currently, it is possible for a man to consume his HSE low-risk weekly guideline limit for €7.48, while a woman can consume hers for just €4.84. 2

Minimum Unit Pricing will mean that a 500ml can of  4.2% stout  will cost at least €1.66, a 14% bottle of wine will not be sold for less than €8.28, a bottle of 37.5% sprits will not be sold for less than €20.71, and a bottle of 43% spirits will not be sold for less than €23.75.

How to calculate minimum unit price:

To calculate the minimum unit price you multiply the volume in millilitres by the percentage of ABV by 0.789, divide by 100 to get grams of alcohol content and multiply by €0.10 for the minimum unit cost. [3]

Mls X (%)ABV X Density (0.789) /100 X 0.10 = Price

Below are examples of the minimum price that can be charged for alcohol once Minimum unit pricing is introduced :

Type of alcohol Volume  (mls) ABV % Minimum price that can be charged under Minimum unit pricing
Can of beer 500 4.3 €1.70
Can of cider 500 5.5 €2.17
Bottle of wine 750 12.5 €7.40
Bottle of strong wine 750 14.8 €8.76
Bottle of Spirits 700 40 €22.09

 

Examples of baskets:

  1. 6 cans (500ml) of beer (4.3%) and 2 bottles of wine (12.5%) = €25
  2. 6 Cans (500ml) of cider (5.5%) and a bottle (70cl) of spirits (37.5%) = €33.73
  3. 4 bottles (750ml) wine (12.5%) = €29.60
  4. 24 cans (500ml) beer  (4.3%) = €40.80

What is the expected effect?

By removing the cheapest, strongest alcohol from our shops, minimum unit pricing is expected to contribute towards reducing consumption amongst the heaviest drinkers (who typically buy the cheapest, strongest alcohol).

Reducing consumption amongst the heaviest drinkers is expected to reduce the harms associated with heavy drinking, including the harms experienced by families and communities.

Has it worked in other countries?

Early reporting indicates minimum unit pricing to be effective in Scotland:

  • On average, weekly purchases of alcohol were reduced by 9.5g per adult per household
  • Households with lower income showed the biggest reductions in alcohol purchases (by grams)
  • Weekly spending on alcohol per household increased by only 0.61p3.

Does Drinkaware support minimum unit pricing?

It is intended that minimum unit pricing, when enacted alongside other interventions such as those in the Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 as well as comprehensive education and awareness programmes, will reduce alcohol-related harm in Ireland4. Our mission is to prevent and reduce the misuse of alcohol, and Drinkaware supports public health initiatives that will assist in achieving this important mission.

This webpage will be updated regularly as needed. If you have a question, please email info@drinkaware.ie.

If you are concerned about your own or a loved one’s drinking you can visit the HSE website for information on alcohol services or contact the HSE helpline. 

 

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