15 July 2015: Responding to the Welsh Government’s plans to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol in Wales, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA) said:
“This is a very welcome move from the Welsh Government. Wales now joins Scotland and Northern Ireland in proposing to introduce minimum unit pricing and I hope the government in Westminster reviews the evidence and follows suit. Minimum unit pricing is a cost effective policy that will save lives and reduce crime.
“Alcohol misuse is not a problem for a small number of dependent drinkers; it’s a population-wide issue that affects all of us. As taxpayers we are all paying the price of alcohol harm, which is estimated to cost the UK more than £21billion each year. With one person an hour dying from alcohol-related causes, it’s time for the government to face up to its public health responsibilities and take meaningful action on cheap drink.”