Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
261. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to address alcohol consumption by children, noting that the Irish Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Study 2022 found 31% of children have consumed alcohol, compared with 9% of children who have smoked cigarettes. [22197/24]
View answerThe Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 was developed to address the health harms arising from alcohol consumption and to date 28 of the 31 provisions have been commenced. One of the core objectives of the Act is to delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people.
The Act introduces a suite of measures specifically designed to protect children from the harms of alcohol, including exposure to alcohol and alcohol advertising. These measures include restrictions on alcohol advertising in certain locations frequented by children including schools, creches and playgrounds, on public transport and in cinemas, other than for over 18's. Alcohol products and advertisements for same are now separated from other grocery products in retail outlets.
More recently, the Broadcast Watershed provision was introduced which restricts the hours permitted for advertising alcohol products on television and radio to reduce children’s exposure to alcohol advertisements and will come into operation in January 2025. From May 2026, alcohol products must have labels containing health warnings setting out the risks associated with alcohol consumption including the cancer risk.
Financial mechanisms have been introduced regulating alcohol promotions where it is sold at low prices that promote alcohol consumption. Minimum unit pricing was introduced which sets a floor price below which alcohol cannot be sold, thereby preventing alcohol being sold at pocket money prices so that it is out of the reach of children.
A further provision yet to be commenced will limit the content of alcohol advertisements, preventing them from conveying positive or healthy messages linked with alcohol consumption. In addition, alcohol advertisements will be required to include health warnings and health information.
