Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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489. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; to outline measures yet to take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45880/24]

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.

To date 28 of the 31 provisions of the Act have been commenced-

Three sections of the Act came into operation on November 12th 2019 relating to: alcohol advertising on public service vehicles, stops and stations and within 200 metres of schools, creches and playgrounds; alcohol advertising in cinemas; 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, Section 22 came into effect which provides for the separation of alcohol products from other grocery products in retail outlets. This provision restricts children’s exposure to alcohol products and also alcohol advertisements in mixed retail stores.

In January 2021, regulations made under Section 23 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 came into operation which regulate alcohol promotions where it is sold at low prices that promote alcohol consumption.

In November 2021 sections 15 and 16 of the Act came into effect which restrict alcohol advertising and sponsorship promoting alcohol products, and prohibit alcohol advertising and sponsorship at events aimed particularly at children or at which the majority of participants or competitors are children. 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.

On 4 January 2022 the provision relating to the Minimum Price of Alcohol Products came into operation. Minimum unit pricing sets a floor price below which alcohol cannot be sold. Evidence has shown that MUP will not affect the majority of alcohol products but targets only alcohol products that are currently very cheap relative to their strength. In addition, a minimum price will mean that strong alcohol products are not cheaply available for children and young people.

In May 2023, the Minister for Health signed into law the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023 and the remaining provisions of Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, to come into effect on 22 May 2026. The law provides that the labels of alcohol products will warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant and will also warn of the risk of liver disease and fatal cancers from alcohol consumption. The labels will also direct the consumer to the HSE website, , for further information.

Health warnings on the labels of alcohol products will inform consumers that alcohol consumption is not risk free so that they can make an informed choice about their drinking. The labelling law also requires that those selling alcohol online or in on-license premises must provide health information to consumers.

On 13 November 2023, the Minister for Health commenced the Broadcast Watershed provision of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act. Section 19 restricts the hours permitted for advertising alcohol products on television and radio to reduce children’s exposure to alcohol advertisements. The provision will come into operation on 10 January 2025.

Two provisions yet to be commenced deal with the content of advertisements and advertisements in publications.

Section 13 of the Act regulates the content of advertisements for alcohol products. In addition, advertisements for alcohol products will be required to include health warnings and details of the HSE alcohol information website. The aim is to protect children from exposure to alcohol advertising and to break the positive associations between alcohol and lifestyle. Work on the drafting of the advertising Regulations is continuing in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Once finalised, the draft Regulations will require submission to the EU Commission for assessment and once they have successfully completed that process, they will require notification under the WTO process.

Section 18 of the Act introduces a restriction to alcohol advertisements in hardcopy publications sold in Ireland. The provision, while limited to print media aims to reduce exposure to alcohol advertising.