Pubs urged not to stock 'kids' alco-drinks

Pubs and bars are being urged not to sell shot-type drinks amid concerns they encourage children to binge drink.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) is asking its members not to stock products such as vodka jelly and vodka slammers which it claims are “designed for kids“.

Tadg O’Sullivan, chief executive of the federation, said the group had already successfully stopped the sale of certain items such as alcoholic popsicles.

He said: “These things are designed for kids, they are certainly not designed for adults.

“We are really trying to ensure that our members are alerted to the existence of these products because they have nothing to offer to the trade or the industry or society.

“They would appear to be designed for consumption by children and we don’t need that either in the trade or in the country.”

Mr O’Sullivan said a voluntary ban had worked so far but he was not sure whether an outright ban would be enforceable.

“Whether a legal ban is possible or not I don’t know because the contents of these products are quite legal,” he said.

“It is the packaging and dressing that targets them at youngsters and that’s what we find unacceptable.”

He said it would also be difficult to ban items such as Bacardi Breezers, and Smirnoff Ice, adding: “Do you ban vodka and orange?

“Do you prevent the pub selling a vodka and orange for people to mix it themselves?”

He said the VFI was a trade association, “not a police force” and could only advise its members on what drinks to sell.

“We can’t lock them in jail because they don’t follow our advice.”