Heineken rapped for drinking comments

A charity has claimed that comments by Heineken’s chief executive about the company’s campaign for responsible drinking are an effort to undermine forthcoming legislation on the sale of alcohol.

Alcohol Action Ireland’s comments come following a presentation by Heineken’s Maggie Timoney on Tuesday during which she said brewers have a “moral obligation” to make it “uncool to be drunk in Ireland”.

However, she expressed doubts that the provisions of the forthcoming Public Health Bill would reduce harmful drinking, suggested the industry should promote responsible drinking through advertising and awareness campaigns.