Ceist:
83 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he will take to restrict sponsorship of sport by alcohol producers. [5501/01]
Written Answers. - Sport Sponsorship.
I have expressed my concerns on the issue of sport sponsorship and alcohol and a number of actions have been taken which are relevant to this issue.
At present research, commissioned by the health promotion unit of my Department, is being carried out into the impact of alcohol advertising on young people. The results will be available later this year and the outcome of this will help to inform further action in this area.
I have asked the Advertising Standards Authority to include some new recommendations in their updated advertising code. These recommendations include that the content of advertising should not create the impression that alcohol drinking contributes to social and sexual success, that the placement of alcohol advertising should not be permitted in the media where more than 25% of the audience is under age, that those who promote or advertise alcohol on line should provide mechanisms for parents to prevent children's access to that advertising, that advertisers of alcohol should avoid content that is attractive to under age customers, and they should post educational messages about responsible drinking.
An alcohol awareness campaign aimed at young high risk drinkers has been launched. This campaign, Less is More – It's Your Choice, is in line with the National Alcohol Policy, published by my Department in 1996, which aims to create awareness among young people of "high risk drinking" and in the long-term to reduce alcohol related problems associated with excessive drinking. Part of this campaign includes the development of a website, www.coolchoices.ie, which provides young people with factual information on alcohol and reminds them that there are alternatives to alcohol and points them to those.
The recently published Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport, published by the Irish Sports Council and Sports Council for Northern Ireland states that sports leaders in children's sport should refrain from seeking sponsorship from the alcohol and tobacco industries. I am requesting officials of my Department to consult with the Sports Council with a view to progressing this recommendation.