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ARTICLE · 19 JANUARY 2022

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Last Orders For Cheap Alcohol? New Minimum Unit Pricing Comes Into Force

Matheson
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On 4 January 2022, Section 11 of the Public Health (Alcohol Act) 2018 on Minimum Unit Pricing ("MUP") came into force, making Ireland one of a small number of countries to introduce minimum pricing on alcohol...

IrelandAntitrust/Competition Law
Kate McKenna
Kate McKenna
Simon Shinkwin
Simon Shinkwin
Kate Lenihan
Kate Lenihan
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Background

On 4 January 2022, Section 11 of the Public Health (Alcohol Act) 2018 on Minimum Unit Pricing ("MUP") came into force, making Ireland one of a small number of countries to introduce minimum pricing on alcohol, following Scotland in 2018 and Wales in 2020. The measure is designed to reduce the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol and to delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people, by limiting the availability of cheap alcohol.

The measure was approved on 5 May 2021, and provides that a person who sells alcohol or promotes the sale of alcohol at a price that is below the minimum price for that product, shall be guilty of an offence which is punishable on conviction to a fine of up to €250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years.

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