The Government recently approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012. The package of measures to be implemented will include provision for:
- minimum unit pricing for alcohol products;
- the regulation of advertising and marketing of alcohol;
- structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets;
- health labelling of alcohol products; and
- regulation of sports sponsorship.
The other measures (eg for the HSE, professional bodies etc) set out in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, were endorsed by Government and are to be progressed by the relevant departments and organisations. The HSE has responsibility for implementing a number of recommendations and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan for 2014.
The provision of services to prevent and treat addiction to alcohol is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and as such, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.