Vintners under fire for alcohol benefits suggestion

A LOBBY group for publicans yesterday came under fire for suggesting that alcohol contributes greatly to the health of the nation.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) told an Oireachtas committee that alcohol brought peace and satisfaction into people’s lives and was an important means for enjoying life.

However, Alcohol Action Ireland, which is battling to raise awareness of the harm done by alcohol, said the VFI’s claims were “extraordinary”. Spokeswoman Sinead Shannon said: “The vintners’ comments on alcohol must be rejected. Their comments amount to an extraordinary denial of the harm that alcohol has done and continues to do to our families and communities. How can they deny findings of the various reports that point to the link between alcohol and death or injury through road accidents, suicide, or house fires?”