Professor Joe Barry:

I thank members of the committee for the opportunity to speak to them today on the important topic of the public health (alcohol) Bill. We welcome this Bill as a watershed in that it represents the first time that the Department of Health is introducing legislation on the public health aspects of our national alcohol problem. I will concentrate on issues relating to labelling and minimum unit pricing.

I have been involved in the issue of labelling and warnings through a variety of working groups since the middle of the last decade, beginning with social partnership. Agreement was reached on labelling in 2007, eight years ago, so this legislation is overdue. It is encouraging to see recommendations of almost ten years ago progressing towards the Statute Book. There is confusion currently about the exact quantity of alcohol in any alcoholic drink. The move to use grams is a step in the right direction. Grams are used to label foods all over Europe and represent the same thing in Ireland, the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Grams are understandable in many languages. Importantly, there is a direct dose response effect between daily intake of grams of alcohol and a variety of alcohol induced health harms. A pint of beer contains 20g of alcohol. If a man drinks 50g to 60g of alcohol every day, his chance of developing liver cirrhosis is increased ninefold. If a woman drinks 20g to 40g of alcohol per day, her chance of developing liver cirrhosis is increased almost tenfold. Epilepsy is increased sevenfold for each gender with each of these intakes. We have a major obesity problem in Ireland and information on the calorie count on alcohol containers will help with weight control. A pint of lager contains more than 200 calories, a standard 175 ml glass of wine, one quarter of a bottle, contains 130 calories, and a pub measure of spirits contains 80 calories, minus the mixer. Accurate information on grams and calories, coupled with images of the harms caused by excess alcohol use, will greatly help individuals take a more proactive role in monitoring their alcohol consumption.

The topic of minimum unit pricing has been discussed at length by Dr. Holmes from Sheffield. This is a proven effective measure with gains in the short term. It is aimed at two groups of vulnerable drinkers: very young drinkers or teenagers who can buy drinks, particularly beer, at pocket money prices, and dependent drinkers or alcoholics for whom any very cheap alcohol is very attractive. The benefits in the short term include reductions in mortality, reductions in crime, a positive impact on the direct costs to health care services and a reduction in workplace absence. Helping young people to delay the onset of heavy drinking, and any drinking, reduces their chances of developing alcohol dependence in later life.

It has been claimed that this strategy is an attack on the poor. That is not the case. It is an attempt based on evidence to provide support to vulnerable drinkers to reduce their drinking regardless of their economic circumstances. I am the chairperson of the north inner city local drugs task force, in which Members of the Oireachtas from the Dublin Central constituency and members of Dublin City Council actively participate. We are all of the view that drinking patterns in the north inner city, one of the most deprived parts of the country, are at a serious level, with a proliferation of off-licences selling cheap drink. The measures outlined in this minimum unit pricing legislation will be very beneficial to the health and well-being of this community and all communities throughout the country, regardless of social class. It will lessen health inequalities when brought in.

The final issue I would like to address briefly is enforcement, which cuts across some of the heads. I welcome that environmental health officers will be given enforcement powers under this legislation. They provide excellent enforcement within the health arena regarding environmental tobacco smoke and food safety. They will have a key role in enforcing section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, which deals with structural separation in mixed trading stores. Alcohol is not an ordinary commodity and must not be treated as such by our retailers. We thank members for their attention.