asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the work of the Health Education Bureau in the matter of reducing excessive drinking, and if there are any factual indications of the success of the bureau in this field.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Excessive Drinking.
25.
I am satisfied with the work of the Health Education Bureau to date in trying to reduce excessive drinking.
The Deputy will appreciate that the full impact of the bureau's work in changing people's behaviour in relation to alcohol consumption cannot be measured in the short-term. However, the bureau arrange to have the effectiveness of their campaigns evaluated regularly.
A survey carried out in January 1979 among a sample representative of all adults in the country showed that 89 per cent of the respondents were aware of the bureau's campaigns in relation to the dangers of alcohol. Furthermore, nearly all of these respondents thought that the advertising was effective in making people think about the dangers of alcohol.
Approximately 8 per cent of the total sample said they had reduced their consumption of alcoholic drink in the six months July to December, 1978. This would represent about 150,000 people in the whole country.
These figures are encouraging, but I do not feel that any firm conclusions on the success of the bureau's work can be drawn at this stage.
Is there any evidence that the 8 per cent of the sample who have reduced their consumption of alcohol is actually reflected in the sales of alcohol? In the event of there being no indication of an actual reduction in sales of alcohol, would the Minister agree that the results of the survey would be open to question?
I would not agree with that.
The other 92 per cent could be drinking more.
Or new drinkers could be coming on the scene, or tourists could be drinking more.
When does the Minister expect the campaign to have a tangible result in terms of an actual reduction in consumption?
It will be an on-going constant struggle.
In other words, nothing will happen?
That is not so. I have given the Deputy a concrete figure, in so far as it can be ascertained, and an assurance that we will persist in our efforts, but it is a long-term war of attrition.
And should be supported.