Another in the ‘welcome to the weekend’ series….

Plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol in Wales have been backed by a panel advising ministers on substance misuse.

Experts said the measure would protect vulnerable people, boost public health and improve community life.

The Welsh government has already proposed a minimum alcohol price of 50p per unit.

It could become law as part of a Public Health Bill for Wales planned for early 2015.

Panel chair Kyrie James said: “Alcohol health and social harm problems are preventable.

“Expert evidence and research confirms cheaper drinks are favoured by those who drink hazardously or harmfully, and a minimum unit price would have a disproportionate targeting effect on problematic drinking, reducing alcohol problems and achieving health and other benefits for individuals and our communities as a whole.”

She added that the panel felt a minimum unit price would be “an effective mechanism through which alcohol-related harm can be addressed”.

“It is no coincidence that as the affordability of alcohol has improved substantially so has alcohol-related death and disease.