Minister Alex White to launch Alcohol Action Ireland Conference

Minister of State at the Department of Health Alex White will open Alcohol Action Ireland ’s conference,  “Time Please… For Change ”, at the Royal College of Physicians Ireland (RCPI), Dublin 2, on Thursday, November 1.

The conference, which takes place from 10 am to 4 pm, will see a number of expert national and international speakers examining key initiatives that could make a real difference to Ireland ’s harmful relationship with alcohol:

 “Alcohol: We are where we are, but how did we get here and where do we go? ” will provide an overview of the current situation in Ireland. Dr Jean Long of the Health Research Board will speak about alcohol trends and public attitudes, while the conference will also hear from Professor Frank Murray, Consultant Gastroenterologist and chair of the national alcohol policy group recently established by the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland

 “The Price is Right: Minimum Pricing ” will hear from Dr John Holmes on the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model and its application to Scotland, while Dr Evelyn Gillan, CEO of Alcohol Focus Scotland, will provide an update on the Scottish campaign for minimum pricing. Monika Kosinska, Secretary General of the European Public Health Alliance, will speak about the challenges and opportunities for minimum pricing in Europe

 “Kicked to touch or all to play for? Alcohol sponsorship and marketing ” will hear from Pat Kenny, lecturer in marketing in DIT, and Shane Hegarty, Arts Editor of The Irish Times on alcohol industry sponsorship of sports and the arts

Other sessions will include  “Hearts and Minds  – what makes a difference ”,  “Generation Next: left to carry the can for alcohol-related harm? ” and the final session of the day,  “Reducing alcohol-related harm  – next steps ”, during which questions submitted by conference attendees will be addressed by speakers during a panel discussion.

The conference programme, including the full schedule and speaker biographies is available from the Alcohol Action Ireland website.

To register to attend this conference, submit a question or for further information, please contact Conor Cullen at conor@alcoholactionireland.ie or 01-8780610.