Public Health (Alcohol) Bill: Double think dilutes drink law

A PERPLEXING sense of doublethink has effectively diluted key aspects of the alcohol bill published by Health Minister Leo Varadkar. 

The introduction of minimum pricing is long overdue, especially when one considers the need to curb binge drinking by our present crop of young people who are reportedly among the worst binge drinkers in Europe.

Regrettably, the aim is to get this legislation through the Oireachtas by the middle of next year, which means if this government fails to be re-elected, the bill falls with it. And despite Fine Gael’s good showing in recent polls, unforseen events can change everything.

The case of doublethink referred to above concerns the apparent contradiction between the move to ban advertising of alcohol products near schools, playgrounds and on public transport and the failure to grasp the nettle of major sports promotion by drink companies. While the 9pm watershed should prevent most children from being influenced, they will be exposed to a blizzard of alcohol ads at rugby, GAA and soccer matches. Arguably, it is time government explored alternative revenue streams for sporting organisations.

If, however, as Mr Varadkar succinctly put it, this far-reaching legislation not alone reduces emergency department attendances and accidents, but also cancers, suicides, assaults, road accidents and absenteeism, then indeed it will indeed be a good day’s work.