Shops accuse Government of ignoring cost concerns in alcohol bill

An organisation representing convenience stores and newsagents has accused the Government of ignoring its members’ concerns about the cost of implementing proposed legislation on the sale of alcohol.

The Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association of Ireland (CSNA) said proposals within the Public Health Alcohol Bill that would require retailers to segregate alcohol products from the rest of their stores will impose a significant financial burden on smaller stores.

The bill stipulates retailers selling alcohol must do so in an area “which is separated from the remainder of the premises by means of a physical barrier” to which customers do not have to pass through to access other non-alcohol products. It also proposes alcohol products and advertisements for alcohol products would not be “readily visible to members of the public from outside the area”.