Bill to curb alcohol adverts shelved

THE Government has shelved a bill that would protect children and adolescents from over-exposure to alcohol advertising following discussions with the drinks industry.

In doing so, it has ignored the advice of its Strategic Task Force on Alcohol, which in its second report last September warned the Alcohol Products Bill should be "enacted without delay".

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil last week that "voluntary agreements" have instead been reached with the alcohol and advertising industries, meaning they will effectively self-regulate.