David Stanton
Question:158. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the progress made to reach the lower target of 9.1 litres of alcohol per capita by the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41917/20]
View answerThursday, 10 December 2020
Questions (158, 159)
Alan Farrell
Question:159. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the commencement of measures in the public health alcohol legislation which is aiming to reduce harm associated with irresponsible consumption of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42012/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill was published in 2015 with four primary policy objectives. One of those objectives was for Ireland to reach a consumption rate of 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per capita by 2020. The remaining objectives were to delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people, to reduce the harms caused by the misuse of alcohol, and to regulate the supply and price of alcohol in order to minimise the possibility and incidence of alcohol related harm. The Bill was not enacted until October 2018 therefore the time between enactment and the 2020 objective of reducing consumption to 9.1 litres per capita was shorter than was originally anticipated.
In 2019 alcohol consumption per capita in Ireland was 10.86 litres. This has fallen from the high rate of 14.3 litres per capita in 2001 but levels have remained at approximately 11 litres since 2015 with consumption at 11 litres in 2017, 11.01 litres in 2018 and 10.86 litres in 2019.
The Public Health (Alcohol) Act is designed to achieve its objectives through addressing alcohol pricing, labelling, advertising and display.
In November 2019, the following substantive provisions on the Act became law:
- a prohibition on alcohol advertising in or on public service vehicles, at public transport stops or stations and within 200 m of a school, early years centre or a local authority playground.
- a prohibition on alcohol advertising in a cinema except around films with an 18 classification or in licensed premises within a cinema.
- a prohibition on children’s clothing that promotes alcohol.
These measures aim to create an environment free from alcohol advertising in areas frequented by children and will ensure that our children can grow up in circumstances where they are not regularly exposed to alcohol advertising.
On 12 November this year, section 22 of the Act, which provides for the separation and visibility of the alcohol products in mixed retail outlets became operational. This recently applicable law means that mixed retail outlets such as supermarkets must confine alcohol products to either:
- an area separated by a 1.2 metre high barrier, or
- units in which alcohol products are not visible up to 1.5 metres height, or
- up to three units that can be a maximum of 1 metre wide by 2.2 metres high.
In addition, alcohol products can be contained but not be visible in a unit behind the counter.
The separation of alcohol products from other grocery products in retail outlets is designed to reduce the likelihood that alcohol products will be on display near grocery products, thereby discouraging their purchase as part of everyday household grocery shopping. In addition, alcohol products will be less visible to children.
From 11 January next year, the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Products) Regulations will come into force. The purpose of the Regulations is to address the inclusion of alcohol products in price promotion schemes. The Regulations are designed to prohibit:
- the use of bonus or loyalty card points in relation to alcohol products
- the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price when sold with another product or service, and
- the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price for a period of 3 days or less.
Finally, in November next year the following provisions will become law:
- A prohibition on alcohol advertising on a sports area during a sporting event, at events aimed at children or at events in which the majority of participants or competitors are children.
- Alcohol sponsorship of events aimed at children, events at which the majority of participants or competitors are children and events involving driving or racing motor vehicles is prohibited.
Progression of work relating to the commencement of the remaining provisions of the Act, including the drafting of regulations relating to the labelling and advertising of alcohol products, was interrupted in March due to the prioritisation of legislation and other work related to the pandemic. As set out in the 2013 Government Decision which approved the minimum unit pricing of alcohol products, this measure will be introduced when a similar measure is introduced in Northern Ireland so as to allay concerns that its introduction in one jurisdiction only would impact cross-border trade.