Change in alcohol laws - The problem is abuse, not drink itself

It SEEMS ironic that while the Irish pub is enjoying something of a boom in popularity around the world, it is declining in Ireland. Vintners claim that on average, one pub a day closes in this country. This could have enormous social consequences.

Rural areas have already been hit by the closing of post offices, and the demise of the local pub could lead to serious social problems, because the pub has traditionally been a significant social outlet as a meeting place. People can drink at home, but this could have dangerous ramifications, especially for those living alone in isolated rural areas.

In the social setting of a pub, somebody who drinks too much will not be served any more after they reach a certain point, whereas there is no such safeguard for people drinking at home. In some instances this will inevitably have dangerous ramifications.

On the other side of the argument, problems relating to the abuse of alcohol have dreadful consequences, both in social and financial terms. Broken homes, and dysfunctional families have an enormous impact on society. There are also the costs of hospital places taken up by people with drink problems, as well as the days lost at work due to drink-related illness.

New laws regulating the sale of alcohol from off-licence premises by compelling them to close by 10pm came into force yesterday. This was in line with some recommendations made by the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol, which reported last March. The taskforce made 30 recommendations but a mere 10 are currently being introduced.

Powerful retailers have essentially been able to use their muscle to integrate alcohol on the shelves with other food and drink. Without the overheads of a pub, off-licence premises can sell drink much cheaper, and there has been a developing trend for people to drink at home. In addition, a number of young people have taken to drinking in parks or on back streets before entering a pub. This will inevitably have dangerous implications for social order. Moreover, the change in the drink culture has economic implications.

Much of the cheaper drinks sold in off-licence premises are from abroad. In the past seven years, there has been a 22% drop in the consumption of home-produced alcohol, while there has been a 90% rise in the consumption of foreign-produced alcohol, mostly wine. This has clearly hurt the Irish economy.

The number of people employed in manufacturing jobs in the sector has dropped from 6,146 to 4,468, which amounts to a decline of more than 27%. But that is only part of the picture.

The drinks industry, which generates enormous revenue in various taxes, provides many more jobs, both full-time and part-time, in pubs around the country. It is estimated, in fact, that the sector provides the equivalent of 61,600 full-time jobs.

The real problem for society is not alcohol, but the abuse of alcohol. Closing pubs will likely exacerbate the problem. The Government’s scatter-gun approach needs urgent consideration.