The introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol will help reduce alcohol-related harm in Ireland, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) has insisted.

The national charity for alcohol-related issues was responding to reports that minimum pricing will be central to the Government's proposed national alcohol strategy.

"Introducing a minimum price for alcohol - a floor price beneath which alcohol cannot be sold - in conjunction with Northern Ireland will target the very cheapest alcohol products, which are those favoured by the heaviest and most harmful drinkers among us, as well as our young people," explained Suzanne Costello, AAI chief executive.

She insisted that these products have been sold at ‘pocket money prices' for far too long in this country, particularly in supermarkets.

She noted that since the Scottish government announced plans to introduce minimum pricing, it has been exposed to major pressure from the alcohol industry to change its mind. Such a move here is likely to result in similar challenges.

"However, the Government and other politicians should note that the World Health Organisationhas said that tackling pricing is one of the most effective measures a government can undertake to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms. This has been confirmed by the experience of minimum pricing in Canada, where it has reduced alcohol consumption and related harms, including a significant reduction in deaths due to alcohol," Ms Costello explained.

Meanwhile, the charity also welcomed reports that the widespread availability of alcohol is to be tackled by, among other things, ensuring that it is kept separate from other products.

According to Ms Costeollo this move is crucial to end the current situation ‘where alcohol is being sold as if it is just another every day item a family's shopping basket, like bread or milk'.

"Alcohol is not a grocery and it's time we stopped treating it like one," she commented.

The proposed introduction of warning labels on alcohol products is also ‘a very positive move', she insisted.

"These will, for the first time, include clear warnings on alcohol products sold in Ireland about the dangers which alcohol poses to our health, as well as information regarding the strength and calorie content of the alcohol product," she noted.

However, AAI is disappointed that the decision on alcohol sponsorship of sports is to be deferred, as the marketing of alcohol is a major issue of concern.

"We know that alcohol marketing, including sponsorship, influences young people's behaviour in relation to alcohol, leading to an increased likelihood of those who aren't drinking starting, and those who are already drinking, drinking more," Ms Costello added.