Rules for alcohol prices and how shops can advertise drinks

This bill creates new rules about how alcohol can be priced and promoted in shops. It allows the government to set minimum prices for alcoholic drinks to stop them being sold too cheaply. The bill also controls how shops and supermarkets can advertise alcohol offers, like buy-one-get-one-free deals or bulk discounts. Shops would need to follow these rules when selling beer, wine, and spirits. The government says this will reduce harmful drinking by making cheap alcohol less available. Critics say this will increase costs for responsible drinkers and may not effectively tackle alcohol problems. The rules would apply to off-licences, supermarkets, and other places that sell alcohol for people to drink at home.

• 1Sets minimum prices that shops must charge for alcoholic drinks
• 2Controls how shops can advertise alcohol deals and special offers
• 3Applies to all places that sell alcohol for drinking at home
• 4Government says it will reduce harmful drinking patterns
• 5Critics say it will increase costs for responsible drinkers