Government announces measures to deal with alcohol misuse
Independent retailers welcome proposals that would spell the end of supermarkets selling alcohol below cost
Print24 October 2013
An extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse, was announced by the government today as part of its National Substance Misuse Strategy.
Some of the measures include:
- Minimum unit pricing for retailing of alcohol products
- Regulation of marketing and advertising of alcohol
- Enforcement powers will be given to Environmental Health Officers
- Structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets
- Regulation of sports sponsorship
Welcoming the government decision, Minister for Health Dr James Reilly said: "Alcohol misuse in Ireland is a serious problem with two thousand of our hospital beds occupied each night by people with alcohol related illness or injury. This impacts on families and individuals at every level of society.
"It’s deeply worrying too that young people are starting to drink earlier and to drink more. The average Irish person over the age of 15 is consuming the equivalent of a bottle of vodka a week. The government is committed to tackling these problems and this week’s decision marks a significant further step in that direction to create an environment where responsible consumption of alcohol is the norm."
Minister White said: "The Government has recognised the severe consequences of the misuse of alcohol – including deaths, injuries and social and financial problems – and has determined to take action to address this problem. The package of measures to be implemented is the result of intensive discussions across Government departments, and will include provision for minimum unit pricing for alcohol products and the regulation of advertising and marketing of alcohol."
The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) in Ireland welcomed the announcement. The newsagents group said it had called for this measure for a number of years, most recently in its pre-Budget 2014 submission.
NFRN Ireland said it supports minimum pricing for alcohol to assist in alleviating problems such as anti-social behaviour caused by the ready availability of cheap alcohol sold by the major supermarket chains. The federation added that for such a change to be effective, action will also need to be taken to prevent multi-buy and other promotions that are widely used by supermarkets to gain market share in the alcohol sector. It also views the government’s intention to work closely with the authorities in Northern Ireland is also an important step in harmonising prices and removing incentives for cross-Border booze buying binges.
Retailer response
Joe Sweeney, president of NFRN Ireland said: "Minimum alcohol pricing will be very welcome for small, responsible, community retailers. All we ask for is that small independent retailers be allowed to compete on a level playing field and minimum pricing for alcohol should assist with this by preventing the large supermarket chains from selling alcohol at loss in order to attract customers.
"Minister Reilly is right to be concerned about the harmful health effects of alcohol. However, while welcoming the introduction of minimum pricing of alcohol we still caution that this should not be used by the government as a revenue generating measure and backdoor for a general increase in the price of alcohol. Such an approach from government would fuel a black market alcohol boom in the same fashion as high taxes and branding restrictions have driven the sale of illicit tobacco."
Related Articles
Mars Ireland partners with PRL to launch Net Zero warehouse in Dublin →
Avonmore launches ‘Vitamins and More’ beverage →
Centra ‘lights up’ stores nationwide with simple savers offers →
Fans 0
Followers