Fag end of drinks industry

I BOTH sympathise sincerely with, and congratulate, Betty Bullock who was recently awarded 28.6 billion damages against tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris Inc.

But what really puzzles me is why I have never heard of the victims of alcohol addiction and over-consumption suing drink manufacturers. Surely the victims of alcohol-related terminal illnesses, accidents, assaults, emotional traumas, financial loss, etc, etc, have powerful cases against the drinks companies, publicans, advertisers, and the Government, for the mayhem caused by their reckless promotion of alcohol. The question is whether the litigation-conscious Irish could overcome their blind love affair with alcohol to claim their just desserts.

At least the unfortunate Ms Bullock has the consolation that her addiction never caused her to beat her husband, neglect her children, or drink-drive, to mention but a few of the dire consequences of over-consumption of alcohol.

Of course the Government, given their current financial difficulties, will certainly not tackle the golden goose that is the alcohol industry, because they need the revenue regardless of the consequences for the hapless Paddy and Patricia who, it appears, need to be protected from themselves.

Ann Naughton,

1, Bishopscourt Place,

Bishopstown,

Cork.