Sir, – The alcohol policy proposals announced yesterday and covered extensively in The Irish Times ("Government moves against cheap drink sales", February 4th) are identical to those announced by the Government on October 24th, 2013; they are also broadly the same as the proposals accepted by Government on foot of the National Substance Misuse Strategy of February 2012. Indeed, they have much in common with previous public health proposals on this issue stretching back over the past 20 years.
Maybe the Government is finally going to do something on this matter, but is it a coincidence that this week’s announcement was made the day after Groundhog Day? – Yours, etc,
SHANE BUTLER,
School of Social Work
and Social Policy,
Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – With regard to the Government’s proposal to introduce restrictions on the sale of cheap alcohol, might I suggest that these restrictions be introduced on a sliding scale for first-time drinkers? It would be a shame to see this demographic locked out of the alcohol market. Or not locked, as the case may be. – Yours, etc,
RONAN GLYNN,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – I note that the “creeping prohibition” of alcohol is to begin, much as it did with tobacco 10 years ago. Prices will rise, availability will be curtailed and advertising will be restricted. Doubtless that is only the beginning.
However the term “cheap alcohol” is a relative one. The supermarket pricing for alcohol may seem cheap to a TD or the chief executive of a national charity, but to those we are told are availing of these offers, it is still expensive. Rigging the price even higher will only ensure that the better-off can continue to buy as they please while the poor and middle classes will be priced out.
More importantly, however, nobody is asking why sections of society are seeking solace in affordable alcohol. Are they searching for a temporary break from a stress-filled life? Could it be the one bit of happiness they can look forward to in a week?
However, those addicted to alcohol will need it rather than want it so they will pay the higher price and other obligations may be neglected, causing problems elsewhere.
The reaction of young people to this move will be fascinating to see as well. According to some reports, we are awash with all sorts of dangerous illegal drugs aimed squarely at the young. Will expensive alcohol lead them to explore an alternative “buzz”? Perhaps affordable alcohol could, in fact, be keeping the lid on simmering resentments all over the country and soothing frayed nerves. As humans, we need our moments of escapism.
I suggest that maybe we should be looking instead at “why we over-drink?” not “what we pay for it?” Irresponsible drinking is a symptom of a problem to be addressed, but not the problem itself. Are we not looking at the hole and not the doughnut? – Yours, etc,
JOHN MALLON,
Mayfield,
Cork.
Sir, – While welcoming the proposed introduction of minimum pricing, one unwelcome outcome may be a huge increase in profit margins for brewers and off-licences.
It would be infinitely preferable if a mechanism could be devised whereby the Government imposed the increased cost as a health levy, which should be ring-fenced for health and alcoholism treatment purposes.
This, after all, is predominantly a health issue and such a levy can be logically justified. – Yours, etc,
PETER MOLLOY,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – The letter on alcohol and sport sponsorship by Dr Michael Loftus (January 31st) is extreme in language, does not fully represent the situation and does not serve his argument well.
It is incorrect to say the industry has enormous profits. Many in the drinks industry are craft distillers and brewers eking a living to break even, creating countless hundreds of jobs across rural and urban Ireland. The industry in Ireland is saddled with the most penal excise taxes on alcohol in the OECD, and a bottle of Irish whiskey is now $15 less expensive in Manhattan than it is in Dublin.
As a result there have been several hundred job losses, particularly by the multinationals who have downsized their domestic Ireland operations or exited in response to the significant falls in domestic alcohol sales.
But for the growth in export markets where a more balanced and responsible attitude to the drinks industry prevails, there would be no industry in Ireland.
Exaggerated and prohibitionist agendas are not what the people want and certainly do not serve the promotion of reasoned argument.
Yes to responsible alcohol consumption. And to more reasoned arguments by the anti-alcohol activists, – Yours, etc,
PATRICK J RIGNEY,
Drumshanbo,
Co Leitrim.
Sir, – I applaud Dr Michael J Loftus in his justified condemnation of the Government climbdown in refusing to ban the alcohol industry’s sponsorship of sports. I cannot understand how associating alcohol and sport can be seen as acceptable. Surely it is evident that alcohol and sport are incompatible? Anyone seriously interested in advancing in a sporting career will not be advised to indulge in alcohol.
As Dr Loftus rightly points out, from his experience as a doctor and a coroner, and having over very many years seen the effects of alcohol abuse, it is unbelievable that Ministers for Health, Children, Social Protection and Justice can continue to permit this sponsorship. Their spinelessness is something to observe. – Yours, etc,
MARY STEWART,
Ardeskin,
Donegal.