Archived: WMA Resolution on a Minimum Unit Price for Alcohol

Adopted by the 63rd WMA General Assembly, Bangkok, Thailand, October 2012
And rescinded at the 68th WMA General Assembly, Chicago, USA, October 2017

Evidence from epidemiological and other research demonstrates a clear link between the price of alcohol and levels of consumption, especially amongst young drinkers and those who are heavy alcohol users.

Setting a minimum unit price at a level that will reduce alcohol consumption is a strong public health measure, which will both reduce average alcohol consumption throughout the population and be especially effective in heavy drinkers and young drinkers.

Some states are intending to set a minimum unit price in order to reduce the medical and social effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

The WMA supports states seeking to use such innovative measures to combat the serious public and individual health effects of excessive and problem drinking.