Ads for alcohol on sports pitches look set to be banned under new legislation aimed at de-glamourising drinking.

Reports in the Irish Independent claim that Health Minister Leo Varadkar is due to bring the bill to cabinet soon.

It would see alcohol ads sprayed on pitches banned and would introduce minimum pricing - meaning a bottle of wine could not be sold for less than €8, or a can of beer for less than €2.

While the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is not expected to interfere with drinks companies sponsoring games or having pitch-side ads, both sporting organisations and lobbyists from the drinks industry are expected to contest the legislation.

The new laws would also see warning labels put on bottles and cans, and introduce a 9pm watershed for the advertising of alcohol on TV and radio.

Earlier this year, the European Court of Justice's Advocate General said a similar Scottish policy on minimum pricing could break free trade rules, and setting a base price would only be legal if a government could prove no other law would deliver the same health benefits.