Plans to bring in a law that would double or triple the price of strong beer and cider from supermarkets in Wales have been delayed until at least 2020, it has been revealed.
The Welsh Government had hoped that the new law, which would require retailers to set a minimum charge of 50p for every unit of alcohol, would be in place this summer.
The so-called "Strongbow tax on the poor" would double the price of supermarket packs of major brands like Strongbow and significantly increase others like Stella Artois. Similarly, a bottle of wine could cost at least £4.69. The greatest impact would be on super-strength ciders like White Lightning or Frosty Jack.
But it is understood that Portgual has asked for a "detailed opinion" on the regulations which will delay the whole process.
Because of Portgual's intervention, there will now be a three-month "standstill" period when the Welsh Government will not be able to lay out the draft regulations.
In a written statement, Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: "Receiving the detailed opinion means that the earliest that we will now be able to lay the draft regulations before the National Assembly for Wales for its consideration will be autumn this year.
"Should these regulations be passed by the National Assembly for Wales, I would anticipate that the minimum pricing regime would come into force in early 2020.
"I remain fully committed to introducing a minimum price for alcohol in Wales. Alcohol is a major cause of death and illness in Wales and once implemented – will make an important contribution to reducing the devastation caused by alcohol related harm in Wales."
Once the legislation is brought in, it will be an offence for alcoholic drinks to be sold below 50p per unit.
Assembly Member Neil Hamilton labelled the proposed measures a "Strongbow tax on the poor".
He said: "People should be able to make their own decisions. It is a Strongbow tax on the poor. This will not affect the problem drinks at all and will just hit the majority of people who enjoy a drink."
Scotland’s minimum price for alcohol came into effect in May 2018.
Alcohol Concern Cymru claims introducing the measures will protect heavy drinkers and save the NHS time and money.
Alcohol Concern Cymru’s Mark Leyshon said: “The health harms caused by alcohol remain one of the biggest problems facing Wales, and our hospitals handle as many as 1,000 admissions related to alcohol each week.
“Many of these illnesses and injuries are linked to cheap alcohol sold in the off-trade – in supermarkets and off-licences – at prices far below those in pubs.
“Typically it’s heavy drinkers who favour low-price alcohol, meaning that it is the cheapest alcohol on the market that is bought and consumed in the greatest quantities and which causes the greatest harm.
“Introducing a minimum unit price would bring a significant reduction in alcohol harms, by changing the drinking behaviours of this group without penalising moderate drinkers. It’s high time to get minimum unit pricing on the statute book for the benefit of all of us.”
EU countries can restrict imports on public health grounds but only if it does not constitute a "means of arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade between member states".
It is not yet known why Portugal has issued its "detailed opinion" on the regulation.
