Department ‘aids drinks industry in targeting children’

PSYCHIATRISTS have accused the Department of Health and Children of “facilitating” the drinks industry in targeting advertising at children.

Publishing a paper calling for a ban on alcohol advertising, the Irish College of Psychiatrists (ICP) criticised Health Minister Mary Harney of having a “pro industry” bias on alcohol.

“It doesn’t make any sense to me that the Department of Health and Children is facilitating the drinks industry in their efforts to target advertising at children,” said consultant psychiatrist Dr Bobby Smyth.