Price hikes for wine, spirits, beer are calling time on binge drinking

The cost of spirits, cans of beer, and bottles of wine will increase under health measures designed to reduce binge drinking and the harmful effects of alcohol.

Prices for a bottle of vodka and a can of beer could rise by more than a half, depending on the level of alcohol in each product.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar defended the new minimum pricing structure saying that it would save lives, reduce disease and prevent accidents. But he conceded the suite of measures under the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill would not be passed before the general election.