€3.7bn – The hidden price of alcohol

THE Government should “seriously consider” raising taxes on alcohol to reduce the estimated €3.7 billion cost to the state from alcohol abuse, according to a HSE report on the issue.

The research also goes on to suggest that the alcohol industry had, until recently, “exercised undue influence on government policy”.

The report comes as provisional figures indicate that alcohol consumption levels in Ireland actually increased last year for the first time since 2007.