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AFS joins health leaders call for minimum unit pricing after record alcohol deaths in Northern Ireland

Health leaders have written to the First and Deputy First Ministers calling for urgent action after alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland reached their highest level on record.

The Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA), an alliance of more than 60 organisations including medical Royal Colleges, treatment providers and health charities, has written to Ministers expressing “deep concern” at the latest statistics, calling for the urgent introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Northern Ireland.

The group said the latest figures show the need for decisive, evidence-based action to prevent further avoidable deaths.

New data published on 11 February 2026 by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency show that 397 alcohol-specific deaths were registered in 2024 — the highest number ever recorded. Over the past decade, alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland have risen by more than 80%.

The figures also highlight stark inequalities, with alcohol-specific deaths in the most deprived areas almost four times higher than in the least deprived areas between 2020 and 2024.

In its letter, the AHA — alongside signatories including Cancer Research UK, Royal College of Psychiatrists NI and the British Medical Association — urges Ministers to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Northern Ireland.

The AHA warns that, in the upcoming Office of National Statistics report on UK alcohol deaths, Northern Ireland’s alcohol-specific mortality rate has now overtaken Scotland. Twenty years ago, Northern Ireland’s rate was around only half that of Scotland. Since then, Scotland has introduced several evidence-based policies to reduce harm, including a minimum unit price

Research shows that cheaper alcohol increases consumption and, in turn, increases harm. Minimum unit pricing sets a floor price per unit of alcohol, directly linking price to alcohol content and targeting the cheapest, strongest products associated with the greatest levels of harm.

Scotland and Wales have both confirmed they will continue MUP at 65p per unit, while the Republic of Ireland has had minimum pricing in place since 2022. Independent evaluations have found that MUP is associated with reductions in alcohol consumption, particularly among heavier drinkers, and delivers the greatest health benefits in more disadvantaged groups.

The letter also emphasises that price controls work best alongside effective licensing, maintaining alcohol duty rates, clear product labelling and access to high-quality treatment and support services.

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, AHA Chair, said: “We are seeing extremely troubling levels of alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland. Behind every one of these statistics is a family, a community and a preventable loss.

“The evidence is clear that minimum unit pricing reduces consumption and saves lives, particularly in the communities that suffer the greatest levels of alcohol harm. With deaths rising and inequalities widening, the need for decisive action has never been more urgent.”

Dr Joy Watson, chair of the Addictions Faculty, Royal College of Psychiatrists NI, said: “It’s Northern Ireland’s shame that alcohol deaths are at an all-time high. The fact that MUP could reduce deaths is an obvious public health measure that should not be delayed.

“In Scotland, there’s been 13% less deaths since the MUP measures were introduced meaning their deaths are on a downward trajectory while ours continue to rise. We seem to be way behind when it comes to adopting a sensible policy to cut alcohol-related harm in NI, and it’s about time we kept up pace.

“The government need to listen to medical experts as MUP could save lives and cut NHS costs. There is no hidden agenda – only public health gain.”

The AHA expresses support for proposals from the Department of Health to introduce minimum unit pricing in Northern Ireland and notes government-commissioned modelling indicating it would reduce alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions, with the greatest impact among heavier drinkers and people living in poverty.

The Alliance stands ready to support the Northern Ireland Executive to implement effective, evidence-based policies to reduce alcohol harm and prevent avoidable deaths.