Martin condemns vodka sachets

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin has appealed to off-licences not to stock controversial vodka sachets which hit the market yesterday.

Mr Martin and Justice Minister Michael McDowell were joined by groups representing publicans, off-licences and breweries in condemning the potential harm of the drink. The cellophane pouch which contains a 30ml shot of the spirit is on sale for €1.50.

“I am very concerned about the vodka sachets and would regard it as an unacceptable development. It runs counter to attempts to combat underage drinking,” Mr Martin said.

It is believed the ministers will consider imposing extra taxes on the product to limit its appeal, as the Government previously did to curb the popularity of alcopops.

The US businessman behind the venture, Dr Joe Elias, claims the product provides a unique ability to keep a precise metric volume of alcohol consumed. Dr Elias said he got inspiration for the product during time he spent working at the accident and emergency department of Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he witnessed many patients who had consumed excess alcohol.

“If they had been drinking pints they could tell you how many pints they had, but if they had been drinking spirits or sharing a bottle of vodka, they could never be as specific,” said Dr Elias.

The drink is marketed through his Irish-registered Little Drinks Company. However, the viability of the product is now under threat after the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland and the National Off-Licence Association both called yesterday on its members not to stock the product.

Séamus O’Donoghue, the president of the VFI, which represents 6,000 rural publicans, said the federation had already called for an outright ban on shot-type drinks.

“The products appear to fit into the category of drinks that we actively and strongly discourage our members from stocking,” said Mr O’Donoghue. “The VFI has worked hard to prevent the introduction of certain drinks that are clearly targeting young people and does not endorse the practice of deep discounting or drinks promotions that might encourage binge or excessive drinking.”

The National Off-Licence Association, which represents over 300 independent outlets, also called on its members to operate a similar ban.

A NOfLA spokesperson said they considered the Vodka Bullseye Baggies to be “an inappropriate addition to the product range available in Irish off-licences.”