The health minister has said time is "quite rapidly" running out for the executive to introduce alcohol minimum pricing in Northern Ireland.
Mike Nesbitt is the fifth health minister to have attempted to introduce minimum pricing after it was first proposed by the Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP) Edwin Poots in 2012.
With an assembly election scheduled for next May, there is a limited time remaining for ministers to get legislation passed ahead of that date.
The pricing structure is already in place in Scotland and Wales where alcohol cannot be sold for less than 65p per unit.
If Northern Ireland introduced similar restrictions, it would see a 2.5 litre bottle of cider more than double in price from £5.99 to at least £12.20.
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, said there is "absolutely no doubt" that minimum pricing is effective in reducing consumption, alcohol-related harm and deaths.
Sir Michael has urged Stormont ministers to consider the move, arguing "we are rapidly running out of time".
"This is a proven intervention," he told The View programme.
"It will reduce admissions to hospital from alcohol. It will reduce deaths directly attributable to alcohol, and the 130 odd cases of cancer that we see every year that are directly attributable to cancer."
Since the measure was first proposed in 2012, there have been more than 3,700 alcohol related deaths recorded in Northern Ireland.
"If we look at the evidence from Scotland, introduced in 2018 they've seen a 13% reduction deaths," said Sir Michael.
"That's 120 fewer people that are dying each year in Scotland as a consequence of the introduction of price."
Nesbitt agreed: "Some of those lives, I think inevitably, would have been saved.
"I can't put a figure on that, but I can tell you that all the evidence where minimum unit pricing applies in Scotland, Wales work in the Republic of Ireland, it saves lives."
One of the most common misconceptions of this measure is that it is a tax on the poor, said Sir Michael.
"This is basically a specifically targeted to intervention, to assist individuals who are drinking at problem levels.
"The evidence also clearly demonstrates that it will prevent people increasing their alcohol consumption to problem levels, and there's good evidence emerging that it will have a positive impact on young people, delaying their onset of consuming alcohol and delaying their increase in alcohol consumption."
Sir Micheal argues the measure is targeted and won't affect the 80% of people who consume alcohol within low risk guidelines.
Nesbitt said he had submitted a number of papers on minimum pricing to his executive colleagues, but is "frustrated" that there has yet to be a substantive decision making conversation.
Three of the four parties in the power-sharing executive back the proposal, but the minister said some senior DUP members have told him they are against it.
"I'm not entirely sure why... I have asked, but I don't particularly understand the logic."
A spokesperson for the DUP said the party will engage with the health minister to "achieve proposals which can both achieve consensus and make the meaningful impact on alcohol related harm that everyone wants to see".
Nesbitt is obliged to provide an update to the Northern Ireland assembly by 6 April if he fails to introduce it by that date.