Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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2370.To ask the Minister for Health if he would consider regulation around the prevalence of online advertising for alcohol; and if he has engaged with social media and search engine companies in relation to the need to have an opt-out system of said advertisements for those in recovery, separate to current systems which only allow an opt-out under child-safe browsing. [32824/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 was developed to address the harmful consumption of alcohol in Ireland. It was enacted on 17 October 2018 and to date 28 of its 31 provisions have been commenced. The regulation of alcohol advertising, marketing and sponsorship are core provisions of this legislation.

Three sections of the Act which came into operation on 12 November 2019 introduce a prohibition on: alcohol advertising in or on public service vehicles, at public transport stops or stations and within 200 m of a school, early years centre or a local authority playground; alcohol advertising in a cinema except around films with an 18 classification or in a licensed premises in a cinema and, a prohibition on children’s clothing that promotes alcohol.

These measures aim to create an environment free from alcohol advertising in areas frequented by children and will ensure that children can grow up in circumstances where they are not regularly exposed to alcohol advertising.

In November 2020, the provision which separated alcohol products and advertisements for alcohol products from other grocery products in mixed retail outlets came into operation. The purpose of this measure was to discourage the purchase of alcohol products as part of everyday household grocery shopping. As a result of this, access to alcohol products is more controlled and less visible to children which evidence shows will help delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people.

Two further provisions came into effect in November 2021 which address alcohol advertising and alcohol sponsors:

Section 15 prohibits alcohol advertising in or on a sports area during a sports event. In addition, alcohol advertising at an event which is aimed particularly at children or at which the majority of participants or competitors are children is also prohibited.

Section 16 prohibits the sponsorship of certain events where that sponsorship has the aim or effect of promoting an alcohol product or alcohol brand or the consumption of alcohol. Sponsorship of events aimed at children, events at which the majority of participants or competitors are children and events that involve driving or racing motor vehicles is prohibited.

The purpose of these provisions is to reduce children’s exposure to alcohol products at such events, to break the link between alcohol consumption and sports events within the sports area and to break the link between alcohol consumption and driving events.

Section 19, Broadcast watershed, of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 will come into operation 10th January 2025 and restricts the hours permitted for advertising alcohol products on television and radio to reduce children’s exposure to alcohol advertisements. The section specifies that there will be no advertisement for an alcohol product:

• on a television programme service between the hours of 3.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m; and
• on a sound broadcasting services on a week-day between the hours of—
  • midnight and 10.00 a.m.,
  • or 3.00 p.m. and midnight.

• A warning to inform people of the danger of alcohol consumption.
• A warning to inform people of the danger of alcohol consumption when pregnant.
• A warning to inform people of the direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers.

In addition, the law restricts the contents of alcohol advertisements to facts about an alcohol product, including an image or reference to:

• The product
• The country and region of origin
• The method of production
• The premises where the alcohol product was manufactured

Following the finalisation of this law it will be submitted to the European Commission for assessment regarding alignment with Single Market principles. There will be a three year lead-in time before the law is enforced in order to give businesses time to prepare for and to make the necessary changes to comply with the new requirements.

Issues relating to the regulation of the online environment are primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Coimisiún na Meán who regulate for online advertising.