Minimum alcohol pricing and ban on e-cigarettes could be introduced in Wales under radical new proposals to improve the nation's health

Wales could see the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol under major new proposals to address some of the country’s greatest public health challenges.

A public health white paper, published by the Welsh Government today, puts forward plans to bring in radical legislation to deal with high levels of drinking and smoking.

Measures include the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol of 50p per unit to tackle alcohol-related harm.

Residents of Cardiff give their views on e-cigarettes

Video Loading

According to the Welsh Health Survey 2012, 42% of adults in Wales drink above the guidelines and 26% admitted binge-drinking on at least one day within the past week.

It is also proposed that Wales becomes the first in the UK to introduce a ban on e-cigarettes in public places.

Health Minister Mark Drakeford said he believed the growing use of the products has normalised smoking and undermines the enforcement of the smoking ban, which was introduced in Wales exactly seven years ago.

Analysis: What today's White Paper means for the people of Wales

Other plans include the creation of a tobacco retailers’ register, requiring businesses to inform enforcement authorities if they sell tobacco, with stiffer penalties for those which sell to under-18s.

Professor Drakeford said: “Taking concerted, collective action to address public health concerns remains one of the most powerful contributions any government can make to the welfare and well-being of its population.

“Alcohol and tobacco contribute to many life-threatening illnesses and are major causes of persistent inequalities in health. I have concerns about the impact of e-cigarettes on the enforcement of Wales’ smoking ban. That’s why we are proposing restricting their use in enclosed public places. I am also concerned that their use in enclosed public places could normalise smoking behaviour.

“E-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, and I want to minimise the risk of a new generation becoming addicted to this drug.”

Dr Ruth Hussey, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said: “Wales was the first country in the UK to vote in favour of a ban on smoking in public places. That legislation, seen at the time as controversial in many quarters, is now considered to be one of the most successful public health initiatives.

“On the seventh anniversary of the smoking ban, it is symbolic that Wales is once again at the forefront of a new set of radical proposals to improve public health.”

Other proposals, which will be subject to consultation until June 24, include whether to make it an offence to deliver a tobacco product ordered online to someone under 18, even if the item was ordered by an adult, and introducing a national register for businesses providing cosmetic piercing, tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, acupuncture and electrolysis hair removal.

It is hoped the legislation will be introduced by May 2016. The decision to put forward a proposal for minimum unit pricing was welcomed by campaigners, who were left disappointed by a decision by the UK Government last July to shelve the plans.

The British Medical Association’s Welsh Secretary, Dr Richard Lewis, said: “Any credible alcohol strategy must have measures to tackle price and availability. Wales is awash with cheap alcohol and our citizens are paying the price with their health.

“The increasing costs to the health service of treating the harm associated with alcohol misuse could cripple the NHS with a financial burden that is no longer sustainable in the current financial climate.

“We welcome this positive step forward in the battle to tackle Wales’ destructive relationship with alcohol.”

Speaking about e-cigarettes, Dr Lewis added: “It took us many decades and hundreds of thousands of deaths to understand the connection between cigarette smoking and disease. We must not encourage use of a new system of nicotine delivery when we are unsure about its safety or efficacy as a means of stopping smoking.”

Dr Alan Rees, the Royal College of Physician’s vice-president for Wales, said: “As doctors, we see the devastating impact of smoking and alcohol abuse every single day, and we know that there is no easy fix.

“That’s why we need to use every available tool to change the way we live, and we’re keen to ensure that this White Paper is the next important step towards saving lives and preventing disease.

“We urge the public and organisations to respond to the consultation and support these forward-thinking ideas.”

The drinks industry has argued that minimum pricing would have little effect on the heaviest drinkers. But research by Sheffield University found the measure could lead to 860 fewer deaths a year and 29,900 fewer hospital admissions among heavy-drinkers.

Andrew Misell, director of Alcohol Concern Cymru, said: “This commitment from the Welsh Government is very welcome indeed.

“Minimum unit pricing is an effective way to reduce harmful alcohol consumption without punishing moderate drinkers.

“People who drink within sensible limits will notice little or no difference in how much they’re spending.

“But, if it’s implemented, this measure will discourage heavy home drinking and rid of us of some the irresponsible offers we’ve all seen in our local supermarkets.”

Director of Cardiff University’s Violence Research Group, Professor Jonathan Shepherd, who has led pioneering projects to reduce alcohol-related harm, said: “This proposal is hugely welcome. It’s clear from research that this measure would reduce the harms associated with alcohol and the burden on A&E departments.

“The 50p minimum unit price is not going to affect things like wine prices because you cannot buy wine which is less than 50p a unit. What it will tackle is the ridiculously cheap cider and spirits that you can buy, which promotes a lot of irresponsible drinking.”

Elen de Lacy, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Wales, cautiously welcomed the proposals for e-cigarettes.

She said: “We are delighted to see the inclusion of a number of tobacco-control measures.

“There are concerns that the use of e-cigarettes in smoke-free places could have the knock-on effect of re-normalising smoking, potentially undermining public health efforts to deter young people from becoming addicted. However, it is vital that we ensure that adult e-cigarette users who are trying to reduce their harm from tobacco or quit smoking altogether are not treated in the same way as those who smoke conventional cigarettes.

“Consideration should be given to designating areas where only e-cigarettes can be used.”

Wine and Spirit Trade Association chief executive, Miles Beale, said:“There is no evidence that minimum unit pricing would effectively address alcohol-related harm and problem drinking.

“The policy is already subject to a legal challenge in Scotland, which we believe is likely to be found illegal European law. The UK Government recently cited a lack of evidence to support the introduction of minimum unit pricing.

“Rather than punishing responsible drinkers with higher prices, the Welsh Government should instead be focusing on targeted measures to tackle the causes of problem drinking.”