Press Release – O’Gorman welcomes point of sale ban for tobacco – calls for the same with alcohol

13/07/08

Green Party Dublin 15 representative, Roderic O’Gorman has welcomed the announcement that from 1st July 2009, all point of sale tobacco advertising will be illegal, but has called for the Government to investigate doing the same for alcoholic products.

“I welcome the announcement that from the 1st July 2009, no advertising or display of tobacco products will be permitted in retail outlets. Research has shown that the location of prominent tobacco displays in retail outlets plays a role in promoting tobacco consumption. That’s why it is important that this ban, originally contained in the Tobacco Act, 2004, has finally been introduced”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“However, in light of the Government introducing this ban, I believe it’s time to consider a similar ban on the advertising of alcoholic drinks at the point of sale. The Oireachtas has just passed yet another Intoxicating Liquor Act, but if we as a nation are actually serious about tackling the problems associated with binge drinking, surely it’s time we took decisive action and banned alcohol advertising. We have seen the success that restrictions on tobacco advertising has had on the sale of cigarettes. I am confident that strong measures against alcohol advertising, which would strike at the very heart of the drink culture that has grown up in Ireland, would do far more that closing clubs an hour or so earlier”.

“Commitments on looking at the issue of restrictions on alcohol advertising were contained within the Programme for Government and I look forward to this being swiftly acted upon”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information
Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777
rodericogorman@gmail.com

Press Release – Alcohol advisory group should target drinks advertising, not the legal drinking age – O’Gorman

12/01/08

Green Party Dublin 15 representative, Roderic O’Gorman, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Justice that he has established an Alcohol Advisory Group to look at the sale and consumption of alcohol in Ireland. However, he has also urged that the Group should focus on issues such as advertising by the Drinks Industry and enforcement, rather than increasing the legal age for buying alcohol.

“I’m delighted that the Minister for Justice has set up this new Alcohol Advisory Group and also that it has been given a rapid timeframe within which to report. In negotiating the Programme for Government, the Green Party secured a number of significant commitments regarding dealing with binge drinking and it is essential that these are implemented quickly”, stated Roderic O’Gorman

“However, I am concerned by comments from the Minister that he is thinking of raising the legal age for the purchase of alcohol in certain establishments. I do not think that such a measure will in any way tackle the root causes of alcohol abuse in Ireland. Even when the legal age for buying alcohol is 18, we all know that persons under that age are able to obtain drink if they really want to. Raising the age to 21 will make no substantial difference”.

“I would urge the new Alcohol Advisory Group to focus on two areas. Firstly, I believe we need to restrict the advertising of alcohol. How can we seriously impact upon the drinking culture in Ireland when alcohol is portrayed through advertising and the sponsorship of sporting events as a vital ingredient for a good social life?”

“Secondly, there needs to be stricter enforcement of Section 4 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2003. This makes it an offence for alcohol to be sold to someone who is already intoxicated. Far too often, pubs and off-licences are serving people who are clearly drunk”.

“I hope the Alcohol Advisory Group will deal with these two crucial issues in its report. Addressing these will go much further to tackling binge drinking in this country than raising the drinking age”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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