Below-cost alcohol sales ban welcomed

The new laws setting out a minimum price for alcohol have been broadly welcomed both by campaigners and drinks industry groups.

The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill prevents the sale of extremely cheap alcohol and outlines requirements for health warnings and calorie counts to feature on drinks containers — but has stopped short of banning drinks companies sponsoring sporting events.

It is aimed at preventing the below-cost sale of alcohol, primarily in supermarkets, and is not targeted at the pub trade.