Alcohol News

This week (20-24 November) marks the fifth year of European Awareness Week on Alcohol Related Harm (AWARH). The 2017 AWARH aims to galzanise EU and national policy makers into action to address alcohol related harm in Europe. The 2017 theme is “Alcohol and Cancer” and the focus is on highlighting the avoidable risk alcohol consumption poses with regards to cancer. Research across the EU highlights that 1 in 5 people do not believe that there is a link between cancer... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland welcomes with the decision of the UK Supreme Court - it represents a significant victory for public health   Alcohol Action Ireland today (Wednesday 15 Nov) welcomed the judgement from the UK Supreme Court, unanimously dismissing the appeal of the Scotch Whisky Association and others, that challenged the lawfulness of the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act, 2012.   The Justices of the Court state that the measures proposed do not breach EU law and that minimum pricing... Full Story

Reflecting on this week’s debate on the Public Health Alcohol Bill in Seanad Éireann, concluding Committee Stage, Alcohol Action Ireland believe it is clear there is now a firm resolve amongst Senators who, in recognising the impact of alcohol related harms, understand the need to progress the Bill as quickly as possible. Commenting on the debate, Eunan McKinney, Head of Communications and Advocacy, said: “The nature of the debate highlights the collective will of the Seanad to stay the course... Full Story

Recent media reporting (IT, 04.11.17) has highlighted the undermining of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill by a small number of Fine Gael senators who, yet again, are demanding that the complaints of business owners take priority over modest public health measures that has overwhelming public support. Commenting on the reports, Eunan McKinney, Head of Communications and Advocacy at Alcohol Action Ireland said:  “As we understand the proposed amendments, unfortunately Minister Harris has had to move a considerable distance from the original... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland today (26th Oct) expressed cautious optimism over yesterday’s announcement (25th Oct) by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar in Dáil Éireann that the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill would return to the Oireachtas on the 8th November. It will by then have been 700 days since the Bill began it legislative deliberations in Seanad Éireann. Regrettably over the duration of this delay to enactment, our national consumption of alcohol continues to rise, a further 2000 lives have been lost to... Full Story

Alcohol Health Alliance Ireland today expressed its disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress of the Public Health Alcohol Bill, which they believe has been hindered by the lobbyists of the alcohol industry.  The Alliance calls for the urgent enactment of the Bill. The Alliance, which represents 52 of Ireland’s leading voices in medicine and health advocacy urged the immediate enactment of the Bill, that has now languished before the House of the Oireachtas for over 650 days. Speaking... Full Story

There is no equivalence between business lobbyists and public health advocates   In recent weeks as the battle for the public ‘hearts and minds’ on the need for the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and its measures has intensified, it is interesting that IBEC – the highly influential business and employer group - sought to spin a common thread between those who lobby to guard invested interests and those who advocate to protect Public Health. We agree that it is perfectly reasonable... Full Story

The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) have recently issued a statement, and supporting video advertorial on social media, again critical of the measures proposed in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The piece criticises the measures as seeking the demise of an 'iconic' television advert for an alcoholic beverage, and highlights the aspects that may be lost. The measures within the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill do not prohibit any drinks producer from advertising their product. What the Bill seeks to... Full Story