Publicans call on the Government to tackle the promotion of cheap alcohol

The main representative body for the country’s publicans has called on the Government to address the sale of cheap alcohol and introduce a ban on price-based advertising and promotional activity.

The Vintners’ Federation kicked off its three-day annual conference, in Westport yesterday with the call for such measures to be included in the Public Health Alcohol Bill, which is currently being drafted by the Department of Health.

Addressing delegates, VFI chief executive, Padraig Cribben, noted the “deep disappointment” felt by the federation over what he referred to as, “the consistent failure of the Government” to implement health codes.