Doctors hit out at drink advertising

Drink companies are using advertising to exploit young people and to encourage them to consume more alcohol, according to the former President of the Irish Medical Organisation Dr Cormac McNamara.

He told delegates at the organisation's annual conference in Killarney that young people are being exploited by the industry.

While welcoming the Government’s initiative to stamp out advertising by tobacco firms Dr McNamara says more should be done to tackle the drink companies efforts to attract young people.

Ireland has the highest level of young drinkers in Europe and the Minister for Health Micheal Martin has already warned of a possible epidemic.