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Alcohol Action Ireland today (26th September) welcomed the findings published in the British Medical Journal that showed significant reductions in alcohol purchases since the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) of alcohol products in Scotland.             The research examined the impact of the MUP policy on the amount and price of alcohol purchased in Scotland in the 34-week period immediately after implementation in May 2018. The observed reductions of up to 7.6% in alcohol purchases... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland welcomes the move by the Minister for Health’s step to seek the approval of the EU Commission to regulate alcohol promotions.   This is a small, but significant step in reinforcing the principle that alcohol is not an ordinary commodity. These measures, when approved, and commenced (1st September 2020), will have an impact on off-trade sales ensuring that promotions of alcohol will be restricted, such as: two for one type offers, while more widely ensuring that the... Full Story

Alcohol sales levy could transform prevention and treatment activities. Main highlights demand: No reductions on alcohol excise duties and fix current rates to cost-of-living index Begin the process of reducing persistent subsidy to the alcohol industry Establish social responsible fund from levies on off-trade alcohol sales to: Establish an Annual ‘Youth Recreational Activities’ allowance. Invest in primary care psychology services Allow residential treatment health expenses qualify for tax relief at the higher 40% rate. Commence Minimum Unit Pricing immediately. Today... Full Story

Mr. Kieran Mulvey, Chairman, Sport Ireland. Dear Mr Mulvey I am writing to you in relation to the recently launched Diageo campaign ‘Liberty Fields’ which is being promoted by the Guinness brand to highlight the determination of pioneering women to overcome great adversity to advance their participation in rugby. The endeavour of any campaign to advance women’s equal participation in sport is very important. In this respect, Sport Ireland efforts to encourage equal participation and advancement of women in sport... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland release its annual Alcohol Market Review and Price Survey 2019 Alcohol so cheap - Irish Men can drink weekly low-risk guideline limit for as little as €7.48; women €4.84. Highly sophisticated pricing model ensures alcohol affordability is universal throughout urban, regional or rural Ireland. Introduction of Minimum Unit pricing must now be prioritised Ireland’s Off-Licence holders share an estimated €3.8 billion bonanza market   Alcohol Action Ireland today (1st August) published its annual off-trade alcohol market review... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland note with interest the Department of Health’s invitation, as published today (National Newspapers, 25 July), to interested parties an opportunity to submit expert research on the effectiveness of health warnings and information on the labels of alcohol products and in advertisement for alcohol products. While it is disappointing that this step has only begun now, we are satisfied that the Minister for Health and his officials are focused on progressing the measures passed by the Oireachtas last... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland today (Monday 1 July) noted the development, as reported yesterday (Sunday, 30 June), that government now intends to press ahead with implementation of minimum unit pricing for all alcohol products sold within the state. Minimum unit pricing is a central pillar of the important initiatives set out in the Public Health Alcohol Act, which came into law in October 2018. The important measures within the Act seek to improve public health outcomes and curb persistent high levels... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland today (25th June) called on any Irish student planning a post-exam holiday to think carefully about their trip. Increasingly post-exam holidays abroad have become the pattern for many young students after their heavy schedule is concluded. Frequently many travel on packages specially prepared for students with Spain, especially the Balearic Islands’ destinations, Greece and Cyprus all featuring as choice destinations. Last year many young Irish holidaymakers very quickly fell victim of excessive alcohol consumption and tragically some... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland today, Wednesday 19 June, welcomed the release of the Scottish monitoring report on alcohol data. The report, from NHS Scotland, is the first to be published since the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for alcohol in Scotland in May 2018. In 2018, 9.9 litres per capita of pure alcohol were sold in Scotland – the lowest level seen since the monitoring process began. Since 2010, the volume of pure alcohol sold per adult through supermarkets and... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland today, Tuesday 11 June, welcomed the contribution from the BBC Panorama programme to the ongoing debate about public health alcohol policy actions.   The programme, broadcast on Monday, 10 June, and presented by broadcaster, Adrian Chiles, identified the lack of commitment from the UK government to establish statutory regulations on health information on alcohol products.   The programme also featured Professor Nick Sheron, Head of Population Hepatology Research Group within Medicine at the University of Southampton, who... Full Story