Call for bars, off-trade to pull vodka sachets from shelves
The Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society group (MEAS) has asked drinks retailers to remove Original Bullseye Baggies and Vodka Twistee Shots from their shelves.
The Original Bullseye Baggies vodka-in-a-sachet, with its dart-board motif and plastic packaging, was branded in a manner likely to have a particular appeal to the under 18s.
The MEAS independent complaints panel said it was likely to encourage "illegal, irresponsible or immoderate consumption" of alcohol.
The panel considered Vodka Twistee Shots appealing to under 18s
because of the similarity of the packaging with food products popular with children, "and the similarity of the product, visible through transparent containers, with food and dessert products".
The shots are sold in perspex containers similar to a yogurt carton. The panel believed this product could encourage reckless consumption of alcohol.
The panel found both drinks in breach of the MEAS code of practice on naming, packaging and promotion of alcoholic drinks.
The €1.50 vodka sachets, containing a 30ml shot of vodka, were introduced here last year by US businessman Dr Joe Elia, through his Dublin-based Little Drinks Company.
He argued they were an "excellent way to keep track" of alcohol and calorie intake. They were condemned by Justice Minister Michael McDowell and former Health Minister Micheál Martin at the time.
Yesterday, MEAS chief executive Fionnuala Sheehan said she will this week request the subscribers to the MEAS code of practice which include the country's two publican organisations, the National Off-Licence Association (NOFLA) and supermarkets to cease ordering these products with their existing packaging from the end of June.
Ms Sheehan said: "The MEAS code of practice is very clear that marketing cannot encourage irresponsible drinking or suggest appeal to under 18s."
The complaints about the products were made by the Licensed Vintners Association, the Vintners Federation of Ireland, professionals, parents and members of the public.
