It is understood the government is to introduce a minimum price for alcohol in order to tackle the problem of misuse.
The plan is part of the government's national misuse substance strategy to be unveiled tomorrow.
It will be developed in conjunction with policy in Northern Ireland to bring pricing in line on both sides of the border.
Other proposals within the plan include the postponement on a ban on drinks companies sponsoring sporting events as well as a ban on drinks advertising on TV during the day and early evening.
Evelyn Jones is chairperson of the National Off Licence Association. She says the introduction of a base price for alcohol has to be fair for consumers and vendors.
"You can argue that..cheap alcohol helps the consumer - but they're paying for it in other ways when they go in the door of the supermarket" she said.
"So on conjunction with a minimum price, we would be looking for what's known as a ban on below-cost selling; in other words, no vendor of alcohol - including myself - should be able to sell alcohol for less than I bought it for" she added.
