Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Fianna Fáil broadly supports the provisions of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. Any legislative measures to curb alcohol abuse and excessive consumption are to be welcomed.

There is most certainly an issue with harmful drinking in Ireland. Evidence shows that this measure will reduce the burden of harm from alcohol. Its effects will be felt most keenly by high-risk drinkers. It is estimated that three people die every day in Ireland as a result of alcohol. That amounts to 88 deaths a month or more than 1,000 people who lose their lives every year. This Bill will prohibit the advertising or sale of alcohol products below a set minimum price. It is a targeted measure, designed to prevent the sale of alcohol at very cheap prices and is aimed at those who drink in a harmful and hazardous manner. Almost six out of ten people support a minimum price for alcohol products.

The price of alcohol is directly linked to consumption levels and the level of alcohol related harms. Increased costs, including price increases, lead to a decrease in consumption rates and harm. The University of Sheffield has estimated that this measure alone could save €1.7 billion over 20 years by reducing health care costs, in crime and policing, reduced absenteeism and improvements to quality of life. Minimum unit pricing will target cheaper alcohol relative to its strength, because the minimum price is determined by and is directly proportional to the amount of pure alcohol in drink. The University of Sheffield study supported the finding that the alcohol products most affected by this policy are those that are currently sold very cheaply, often at below-cost prices in off trades such as supermarkets and off licences.

Health labelling of alcohol products is a key element of this Bill. It provides for information on the label of an alcohol product such as a warning to inform the public of the danger of alcohol consumption, information on the danger of alcohol consumption when one is pregnant, the direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers, the quantity of grams of alcohol contained in the product and the number of calories it has. The details on the HSE website provide information on alcohol and related harms. Products sold in kegs or casks will have an accompanying document containing the above information. Licensed premises will have a notice on the warnings, and website information will confirm that a document noting the alcohol content and energy value of every product for sale in the premises is available on request. The above information will also be required on any websites that sell alcohol online. The aim is to provide consumers with information on alcohol products regardless of the manner of purchase; whether it is bought in a pub, shop or online.

The Health Research Board noted strong support from the public for more labelling on alcohol products with information on the alcohol strength, calories and alcohol-related harms. Mixed traders and retailers can store alcohol products in a storage unit behind the counter and can display and advertise alcohol products only. They will have to have an area in the shop which is separated by a physical barrier or enclosed storage units on the shop floor where the products are not visible. A maximum of three units of 1 m wide each and 2.2 m high will be permitted. The separation of alcohol products is intended to achieve several objectives. The access to alcohol products will be more controlled in these premises. Alcohol products will be less likely to be on display near grocery products, thereby discouraging their purchase as everyday household grocery shopping. Alcohol products also will be less visible to children.

The Bill provides for the drafting of regulations the Minister for Health to prohibit or restrict certain types of promotions, for example, buying one alcohol product and getting another one free or for student nights. The intention of the provision is to prohibit promotions that encourage risky drinking, that encourage individuals to purchase or drink more than they might intend or to drink faster than they might intend. The Bill provides for the restriction of the content, placement and volume of alcohol advertising. There is an aim in the provision to protect children from exposure to alcohol advertising and to address advertising that links alcohol with positive healthy lifestyles and social successes.

The Bill contains a requirement to include health warnings and details of HSE alcohol information websites on all advertisements of alcohol products. It will also restrict the content of alcohol advertising to facts about alcohol products. The advertising of such products will be prohibited within 200 m of the perimeters of schools, early years services such as crèches, and local authority playgrounds. Advertising on public transport vehicles and public transport stops and stations will also be prohibited.

I see all of these measures as very positive. They will enable Irish society to discourage alcohol abuse and harmful drinking, and will redirect our attention to a more positive attitude to our health and perhaps change our drinking culture for generations to come.

See this speech in context