New laws to control marketing of alcohol
Companies will be stopped from sponsoring events involving young people, restrictions will be placed on advertising, and a ban will be placed on the low-cost selling of alcohol.
The minister yesterday appointed a special group which will consult with the drinks industry and examine ways of legislating for the new changes.
“If you look at alcohol adverts, they are virtually all associated with social or sexual settings. We will be looking at how to introduce legislation which would stop young people being targeted in this way,” Minister Martin said.
The minister’s actions come following a number of studies and reports which show the State’s young people are the heaviest drinkers in Europe.
A World Health Organisation study found almost one-third of Irish children surveyed had a drink in the last month, while general alcohol consumption has soared by 41% in the last 10 years.
Minister Martin said there was a lack of EU legislation governing advertising restrictions on alcohol and that legislation may not cover television stations operating outside of the State.
He said these measures could place Irish firms at too much of a commercial disadvantage and the legislation would have to bear this in mind.
The minister confirmed the group would look atmandatory warnings on all alcohol products and banning of drinks advertising in cinemas before screenings of under-18s films.
Drinks companies have encouraged binge drinking through products and special offers aimed at young people, according to campaigners calling for responsible alcohol laws.
All these issues will be examined by the newly-appointed group, which will implement many of the recommendations produced by the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol.
