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.

Ends

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

Tuffy’s stance on inefficient light-bulbs is disappointing

I’m very pleased to see that the EU Commission has rowed in behind Minister John Gormley’s blan to phase out the use of traditional inefficient light-bulbs. This project is an important step in Ireland tackling its high level of carbon dioxide emissions. Not only will the measure be good for the environment, but it will also save consumers money as the energy efficient CFL bulbs last much longer. John now intends to implement a public consultation programme to ensure that the phase out of the old bulbs occurs as quickly and efficiently as possible.

At the same time I have to say I’ve been really disappointed by some of the comments coming from Jonna Tuffy TD, the Labour spokesperson on the Environment. It’s stated Labour Party policy to ban inefficient bulbs by 2012. I would have expected Labour to have welcomed Minister Gormley’s proposal to get rid of them more quickly. Instead, Deputy Tuffy has issued a tirade of press releases attacking the proposal( here, here and here). Indeed, in her most recent statements, she seems to be saying that the European Commission is not supporting Minister Gormley, despite the fact that the Minister met with both Commissioner Verheugen and Commissioner Dimas, who indicated their agreement.

From what I can make out, Deputy Tuffy wants a much longer time period taken to implement the change to CFL bulbs. Has anyone told her that climate change needs to be tackled now? Ironically, after the publication of the last report from the International Panel on Climate Change, Deputy Tuffy released a press release calling for “immediate action on climate change agenda”. Yet now she seems determined to put every roadblock she can find in the way of John Gormley’s proposal – a measure that will make a significant cut in our carbon emissions.

i reckon Deputy Tuffy needs to decide if she is serious about tackling climate change or if she and the Labour Party are going to spend the next 5 years playing politics with this all important issue.