Reports yesterday suggested council chiefs will ask premises to sign up to a minimum price of 50p per alcohol unit.
It would mean a 3-litre bottle of cider containing 22.5 units of alcohol would cost £11 – up from £3.60.
However, the council has had a voluntary minimum pricing scheme in place since 2013 – and aren’t making any changes in the near future.
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It re-emerged because councils have to re-publish their licensing objectives every five years.
The wording in the new report is the same and its members are legally incapable of imposing a minimum unit price.
It can only review licenses of businesses associated with alcohol related crime or disorder.
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“Local authorities do not have powers to enforce minimum unit pricing on alcohol ”
Newcastle City Council
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “For clarification, local authorities do not have powers to enforce minimum unit pricing on alcohol in England.
"Newcastle City Council signed up to the LGA Declaration of Alcohol in 2015 as we have a clear commitment to reduce the harm caused by alcohol.
"We work closely with licensed premises to encourage safe and responsible drinking.
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"This includes a voluntary code to set a minimum unit price of 50p for all alcohol sold.
"This recommendation has been adopted by other councils, and has been in place in Newcastle since 2013.
"Minimum unit pricing has proven to be one of the most effective ways of tackling the issues caused by excessive drinking and related anti-social behaviour.”