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.