Let’s have TV ads showing the real damage alcohol does to the drinker

IF someone arrived in Ireland from another planet, they could be forgiven for thinking that the only adverse effect of drinking alcohol is that it impairs a person’s ability to drive a car.

Although the consequences of drink-driving are tragic and devastating for everyone involved in the accident and their families and friends, the number of people who are affected is a relatively small percentage of our population.

However, the damage that drink does to the human body affects every single person who drinks, every single time they drink. I think it is high time the HSE or Drinkaware, or the Medical Council, spelled out the real damage drink does in simple terms, for example:

“If you regularly drink 10 pints (21 units) or more per week , you are

x times more likely to develop cancer, x times more likely to commit suicide, x times more likely to suffer from fertility or erectile dysfunction problems, x times more likely to suffer relationship or marital problems, x times more likely to be arrested, x times more likely to develop cirrhosis, etc.”

I don’t know the actual figures, and that’s the point I’m making. I’m sure very few people know the real damage drink does.

Put an ad on the TV every other night spelling out the real damage alcohol does to the body and let people make informed decisions about how much they drink.

Now that would be some worthwhile ‘time dedicated to you’.

Angela Buckley

Douglas Hall Ave

Skehard Road

Cork