Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have to disagree with the Minister. The Public Health (Alcohol) Act says nothing about online advertising. Section 14 of that Act prohibits the advertising of alcohol, but in tiny places. It has nothing to do with online advertising. Again, the content element of the legislation has not been implemented.

While I am on the subject, I will return to the WHO report. I must put on the record today that the report states:

One of the biggest changes in recent years to alcohol marketing is the use of sophisticated online marketing. The collection and analysis of data on users’ habits and preferences by global Internet providers has created new and growing opportunities for alcohol marketers to target messages to specific groups across national borders. Targeted advertising on social media is especially effective at using such data, with its impact strengthened by social influencers and sharing of posts between social media users.

One data source quoted in the report calculated that over 70% of media spending of leading alcohol marketers based in the USA in 2019 was through promotions, product placement and online advertisements in social media.

I ask the Minister to reconsider this amendment. It could change lives and it could save lives. The report continues:

"The rising importance of digital media means that alcohol marketing has become increasingly cross-border”, said Dag Rekve of the Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours Unit at the World Health Organization. "This makes it more difficult for countries that are regulating alcohol marketing to effectively control it in their jurisdictions. More collaboration between countries in this area is needed.”

I ask the Minister to consider this. The Public Health (Alcohol) Act does not deal with online marketing. I need the Minister to think about that. Every day I work with families who are absolutely devastated by their children being impacted. I am asking the Minister to reconsider the amendment and to just think about it. Let us have a conversation about it. Let me bring in representatives from Alcohol Action Ireland to talk to the Minister about this. It is absolutely vital. Given that it could save lives and change lives, it must be considered within this legislation.