Published Thursday, 20 September 2012
The ban will prevent 'all you can drink' offers in bars and clubs. (© Getty)
The move by Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland follows a public consultation into fixed price promotions.
By January 2013, offers such as 'All you can drink for £20' will be outlawed, but proposed legislation against bulk buying drink has been postponed, after the Social Development Committee raised concerns about the ban.
Colin Neill, chief executive of Pubs of Ulster, said the ban is a further step towards ending irresponsible practices in the licensed industry.
"Whilst 'all you can drink' promotions are rare and the majority of licensees continually demonstrate best practice in this area, we do recognise that there are some premises that choose to offer such promotions.
"This will no longer be tolerated and we will ensure all licensees are aware of the change in the law before it comes into effect early next year.
"This latest move also complements the work being done within the industry to combat irresponsible practices," he added.
Earlier this month, an industry code aimed at stopping irresponsible cheap drinks promotions came into effect.
Drinks offers in bars and clubs came under scrutiny following the death of Joby Murphy, the 20-year-old who drowned in the River Lagan following a night out in Belfast in January.
It was revealed that Joby had been drinking £1 shots in a local nightclub on the evening of his death.
Duncan McCausland is chair of the independent complaints panel overseeing the industry code of practice on drinks promotions.
He said the panel "very much welcomes" the Minister's announcement.
"The move by the Minister to ban irresponsible 'all you can drink' promotions ties in well with the work we are doing with the industry to bring an end to irresponsible practices that encourage the excessive consumption of alcohol.
Mr McCausland concluded: "We hope that this latest development will be another step towards making all irresponsible drinks promotions a thing of the past."
UUP East Belfast MLA Michael Copeland has also backed the move describing it as "positive" and one which he is confident will be "widely supported."
"Promotions such as "All you can drink for £20" simply encourage irresponsible drinking and especially binge drinking. "
Mr Copeland, the party's Social Development spokesperson, added: "The misuse of alcohol through these promotions disproportionately affects young people, and represents a real threat to their health and in many cases, their personal safety."