Alcohol consumption falling in Ireland

Ireland’s reputation as a nation of drinkers took a knock today as it was revealed that alcohol consumption has fallen by almost 7% in five years.

Despite a major survey suggesting Irish people were among the worst binge drinkers of Europe, the latest findings revealed a 6.7% decline in the amount of alcohol consumed per adult in the state between 2001 and 2006.

In 2001, 14.45 litres of alcohol were consumed per adult (defined as 15 years and older), while in 2006 that figure reduced to 13.48 litres.

Latest figures also confirm that the decline continued – albeit slowly – last year when the amount of alcohol consumed per adult reduced from 13.52 litres to 13.48 (down 0.3%).

The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), the representative body for the drinks industry in Ireland, said the trend has now been established for a number of years.

DIGI chairman Michael Patten said the figures highlighted that the assumption of rising consumption which has dominated much debate on the issue of alcohol is outdated.

“Much of the debate is still dominated by what happened in the 1990s, when consumption was rising,” he said.

“Consumption peaked at the start of this decade and we’ve seen a pattern of slowly declining consumption per adult since then.

“I believe that one of the factors is that the very high proportion of young adults is now maturing and as they get older, they will typically consume less alcohol than they did previously.”

Figures, compiled by Anthony Foley of the Business School of Dublin City University, were based on information supplied by the Revenue Commissioners and the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Mr Patten said the findings highlighted the danger of relying on out-of-date statistics when approaching policymaking.

“Much of the political analysis of this issue is based on out of date research,” he said.

“To use old statistics to deal with a current problem is like driving your car by looking through the rear mirrors.”

The chairman said his organisation recognises that there are serious issues with the misuse of alcohol among sections of the population in Ireland and the industry is committed to working with policymakers to address these problem areas.

Labelling, alcohol in the workplace, and the introduction of a code of best practice for the off-trade are among the initiatives being discussed.

“We fully share the concern of policymakers at the abuse of alcohol by certain sections of the population and we are playing a role in devising constructive policies to tackle these problem areas,” he said.

“However, we do not believe that it is necessary, fair or wise to demonise the majority of people who enjoy a drink responsibly simply because of problems caused by a minority.”