The minimum pricing rules on alcohol by the Ireland government take effect from today, As per the law 1 gram of alcohol has to be sold for at least €0.10.
A Government minister told that the law was being introduced to make sure “cheap, strong alcohol is not available to children and young people at ‘pocket money’ prices” – it’s also hoped to reduce harmful use of alcohol among the Irish population.
From now on, a 70cl bottle of whiskey or gin can’t be sold for less than €22.09, a 70cl bottle of vodka for less than €20.71, a 750ml bottle of wine for less than €7.40 and a pint of lager for less than €1.93.
To check out what the minimum price of a drink is under this legislation use this formula: the volume of drink in millilitres x the alcohol % x 0.789 = grams of alcohol. For a 750ml bottle of wine at 12% strength, that’s 750 x 0.12 x 0.789 = 71.01 grams. Then multiply 71.01 grams by the minimum price of alcohol €0.10, and you get €7.10 as the minimum price for a bottle of wine that’s 12% alcohol.
Source: Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018.
The minimum pricing rules are part of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. Under the law, the Minister for Health can increase the minimum price three years after the legislation is brought in. The minimum price can then be adjusted every 18 months.