The purchase of alcohol on supermarket vouchers is banned from today, as well as a number of multi-buy schemes.
The measure is part of regulations under the Public Health Act, which looks to restrict price promotions involving drink. Price promotions which apply to other groceries can no longer be used for alcohol products. Its one of a few new measures being introduced today under the Public Health Act.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has welcomed the new regulations, which will see a ban on alcohol being sold at a reduced price for a limited time. Promotions that offer a reduced cost because alcohol is sold with another product or service will also end as part of the measures.
Minister Donnelly says one of the primary objectives of the Act is to delay the time when children and young people begin to consume alcohol.
He says these Regulations will ensure the sale of alcohol products at pocket money prices cannot continue and believes they bring us closer to reducing harmful drinking and health problems caused by alcohol consumption in this country.