Drinks advertising - Voluntary alcohol codenot enough

It is hard to disagree with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) when it yesterday accused the Government of putting the drinks industry ahead of public health.

Specifically, in a country where binge drinking among young people is almost endemic, the Government appears reluctant to do anything positive to attract the disapproval of the industry.

Yesterday, Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney launched the Alcohol Advertising Monitoring Body, which amounts to her department and representatives of the advertising, drinks and media communications industries agreeing to a code of practice.