7. Debate: The General Principles of the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:59 pm on 13 March 2018.

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Photo of Vikki Howells Vikki Howells Labour 5:59, 13 March 2018

I think that the Bill has to be seen as part of a suite of measures, really, to tackle that, which we wouldn't have time to go into today.

But placing this under annual review would also help to reassure those of my constituents who've contacted me about the Bill. It would enable us to monitor its effect. It would also allow us to keep an eye to see if there are any problems caused by our porous border with England, and it would also allow us to review if the moneys raised by minimum pricing could, in time, revert to the Welsh Government.

The health committee has recommended the Government explore whether a compulsory levy or a voluntary payment scheme for retailers could be set up. The moneys raised would be solely for tackling alcohol-related harm. If this was possible, it would certainly be something that I would be very supportive of.

To close, I want to again repeat my support for the Bill. Arguments have been marshalled in this Chamber against the Bill, but I don’t think that they are any more convincing than those that were used against the smoking ban, and that has succeeded in reducing the number of adults who smoke. I hope that this Bill has similar success on problematic alcohol consumption.