Doctors wary of study showing drop in alcohol consumption

PUBLIC health doctors have called on the Government to face down the drinks industry in the same manner it took on the tobacco industry.

Yesterday, Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) public health specialist Dr Joe Barry said he was sceptical of new research commissioned by the drinks industry which found alcohol consumption had fallen by almost 7% per adult since it peaked in 2001.

“We have a big problem with alcohol but the drinks industry does not think it is a big problem. They are on record as saying it is limited and I think they are wrong there,” he said.