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In May, 2017, WHO Member States will meet in Geneva for the 70th World Health Assembly (WHA) and a new WHO Director-General (DG) will be elected. As public-interest non-government organisations (NGOs) involved in global health governance and the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, we believe that a fundamental consideration for Member States when electing the DG will be how the new leadership will ensure appropriate interactions with alcohol, food, pharmaceutical, and medical technology industries. We invite the three candidates... Full Story

Alcohol Awareness Week runs from March 31 to April 4, 2014. Alcohol Awareness Week aims to get people thinking and talking about alcohol and how it affects us as individuals, families, communities and a society. By encouraging people to examine alcohol-related issues and how they impact on all of us, we hope that it will stimulate conversation and debate and help to bring about a positive change to our harmful relationship with alcohol in Ireland. This year's theme is “Alcohol's... Full Story

DrinkHelp.ie, a new website to assist people seeking help and advice in relation to alcohol-related issues, has been launched by Alcohol Action Ireland. DrinkHelp.ie has been developed by Alcohol Action Ireland in response to consistent demand from people contacting the charity seeking access to alcohol services, as well as information and advice. Last year, almost 6,000 people used Alcohol Action Ireland's Alcohol Service Finder to search for help. That coupled with demand for information relating to alcohol consumption led Alcohol... Full Story

Professor Joe Barry, Public Health Specialist and Board Member of Alcohol Action Ireland: I would now like to follow on from what Dr Smyth has told you and thank you on my own behalf for affording us the hearing today. We read with interest the transcripts of your interaction with the three main sporting bodies on the 27th of March. I have played sport myself from my early teens and my undistinguished sporting career ended with about 5 years playing... Full Story

Dr Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychologist and Board Member of Alcohol Action Ireland: We have a major alcohol problem in Ireland. It kills 1,200 people per year. There are 2,000 Irish people in hospital beds today due to alcohol use. The harms generated by alcohol are felt not just by the drinker, but by those around them also. 10% of Irish children say their lives have been adversely affected by their parents drinking. More starkly, it is estimated... Full Story