Alcohol policy - Problem cannot be ignored

The claim by a member of the Government’s Task Force on Alcohol that the drinks industry has had more influence on health policy than medical experts is startling.

Public health specialist Dr Joe Barry’s criticisms, among them that the Government had largely ignored recommendations made in two task force reports, come from a position of concern and warrant consideration.

It would be totally unacceptable to entertain even the vaguest possibility that the drinks industry should hold more sway than medical caveat on the national health policy, but that is his perception and it should be appraised in the broadest possible context.

More than two years ago, the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol recommended a number of measures to the Government, some of which were introduced.

In May of this year, the task force handed over a major report to the then Health Minister, Mícheál Martin, which contained a number of recommendations aimed at tackling alcohol-related problems, one of which was to change the way drinks are labelled.

Since then, the task force has essentially been parked by the Government and the report remains in limbo.

Next year, Justice Minister Michael McDowell intends to codify the licensing laws and there is no indication the task force will have an input into the exercise.

As far back as 1998, there were suggestions that random breath-testing would be introduced. Apart from minor traffic infringements, little has been heard of it since.

The task force had originally discussed moves to revoke the extended opening hours and increase taxes on drink. What happened was that there was a reversion to earlier closing on Thursday nights only.

Although there have been increases in excise duty on cider, spirits and alcopops, for the past two Budgets alcohol has remained untouched.

Following lobbying from the hospitality industry, the banning of under-18s from bars after 9pm will be extended from next year.

Despite the fact that alcohol problems constitute a major factor in the workload of Accident & Emergency departments, they were not specifically referred to in the 10 actions outlined by Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney.

Apart from the fact that drink-related problems cost Irish society €2.65 billion last year, and were a €430 million burden on the health service, the cost in terms of family life and personal tragedy is incalculable.

The Alcohol Product Bill, which would be a code of conduct for alcohol advertising and sponsorship, and how it should be controlled and limited, must be pursued urgently.

The fact that the cost of alcohol remained untouched in this week’s Budget is not of itself indicative of any undue influence that the drinks industry may be perceived to have.

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) expressed disappointment at the decision by Finance Minister Brian Cowen not to reduce what it considers to be the “exorbitant” excise duties on alcohol.

Ireland has the second-highest tax on wine and beer in the EU and fifth-highest tax on spirits.

However, increasing the price of drink is considered a major plank in battling alcohol-related problems.

It is hardly surprising that Dr Barry believes the Task Force has been ignored or that it fears there may be a rowing back because of the “nanny State” syndrome fears at Cabinet level.