More outlets not the answer to alcohol abuse

OVER the last few years, alcohol in Ireland has become more available as a result of extended opening hours, increased availability in off-licenses, petrol stations and restaurants, and an increase in the number of special exemptions.

As availability increased so did our alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm. The high level of consumption is compounded by the fact that we have the highest level of binge drinking in Europe.

Regulating the availability of alcohol (limiting number of outlets and time of sales) is among the most effective measures in reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm.

The research is robust in terms of quality and its effectiveness across cultures.

The proposal by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to liberalise and deregulate the availability of alcohol is completely at variance with the evidenced-based approach to reducing alcohol-related harm.

The Faculty of Public Health Medicine considers that in advance of a new national alcohol strategy, any proposals to deregulate the availability of alcohol are premature and should be postponed until such time as they are considered in the context of an overall and comprehensive national alcohol policy.

Dr Declan Bedford

Faculty of Public Health Medicine

Royal College of Physicians of Ireland

Dublin 2