Alcohol sports funding ‘increases drinking’

Shelved plans to ban alcohol sports sponsorship in Ireland are under the spotlight after international research found a significant link between it and increased consumption, including among schoolchildren.

The research, published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism, says the association between such sponsorship and alcohol use among minors “warranted close attention from public health policymakers”.

Given the lack of Irish research on the matter, it will be of interest to health experts and departmental officials here.