Alcohol abuse – Sponsorship issue must be tackled

The report from the Joint Committee on Health and Children on alcohol abuse by young people contains much that recommends itself, but it seems to leave a grey area in the question of sponsorship which promotes alcohol.

The Government should take on board the recommendation for price control on non-alcoholic drinks and a severe budgetary increase next December on designer drinks. It is absolutely ludicrous that very often the price between a soft drink and a pint of beer, for example, makes it more economic to buy the latter.

A blanket ban on advertising within three years is good, together with a ban on credits and acknowledgements, or logos for sports events, clubs and teams catering for the under-25s. There is speculation that legislation will peg that cut-off point at events for under-18s, which would be a retrograde step.

The question of sponsorship is a minefield of vested interests, but if it is recognised that there is a major abuse problem among young people, then it is a nettle which has to be grasped.

The Government cannot ignore the thrust of this report no matter what opposition it is likely to meet.