MUP came into force in Wales in March 2020 via The Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018. It aims to tackle alcohol-related harm by reducing alcohol consumption in hazardous and harmful drinkers.
The MUP was initially set at a price of 50p per unit of alcohol. This means that alcohol cannot currently be sold in Wales at less than 50p per unit. Research suggests that the policy has reduced levels of harmful drinking but is in need of updating as high inflation has made the 50p rate ineffective and reduced its value in real terms to 39p in 2020 prices. The Welsh Government therefore has sought views on:
- whether minimum pricing for alcohol should continue beyond 1 March 2026
- what the minimum price for alcohol should be if it continues
Our response
RCPCH Wales's response focused on the ways in which alcohol is harmful to children and young people’s health.
- We supported the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018 and agree minimum unit pricing should continue beyond 2026.
- Alcohol consumption remains a concern for children and young people in Wales, with data indicating gender inequalities.
- Minimum unit pricing should remain an essential cornerstone of addressing the harmful impact of alcohol consumption. However, the Welsh Government should continue to pursue a wider package of measures to reduce alcohol related harm among children, young people and their families.
Our recommendations
- The Welsh Government should continue minimum unit pricing and conduct further research to understand the impact on children’s health.
- We back calls by the WHO on the need for intersectoral action to deliver a diverse range of measures. This includes ensuring broad access to information and effective education and public awareness programmes among all levels of society. To be effective, this needs to go beyond simply providing information about the risks of harmful use of alcohol and rather focus on promoting the availability of effective interventions and mobilising public opinion and support for effective alcohol policies.
- Alcohol consumption and harm for children and young people in Wales is still a challenge. To address this requires more support, both through the continuation of MUP and a wider package of support for children, young people and their families.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) significantly raise the likelihood of early onset drinking. The Welsh Government should do more to address the consequences of ACEs in adults as this could have the potential to prevent exposure to ACEs for the next generation.
We respond to a wide range of consultations to ensure that the College’s position, and ultimately children’s health, is represented. Members can get involved in current consultations in Wales by contacting enquiries-wales@rcpch.ac.uk.