Alcohol ban ‘won’t damage World Cup bid’

Ireland’s bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 would not be damaged if a proposed ban on drinks companies sponsoring sports event was imposed.

That’s the view of high-profile spin doctor, Alastair Campbell, who was in Ireland to lend his support for the campaign to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol and other measures to deter alcohol abuse.

Mr Campbell, who rose to fame as media advisor to British prime minister Tony Blair, told a newly formed all-party Oireachtas Group on Alcohol Misuse that legislators needed to “do the right thing”.