The controversial anti-alcohol campaign 'Stop Out of Control Drinking' has declined to publicly support the Government's plans to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) to tackle the availability of cheap alcohol.
A spokesperson for the campaign, which is funded by drinks firm Diageo, said the campaign's board supports the general scheme of the Government's Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015.
But the spokesperson would not comment when asked if the campaign specifically supported the plans to impose MUP.
The general scheme of the bill, which was revealed by the Government earlier this year, outlines a range of measures to tackle binge drinking, including an advertising watershed and strict regulations on separating alcohol from other products in retail outlets.
However, it is the MUP plans, which could see the price of a can of beer rise to €2.20 and a bottle of wine to €8.80, which has sparked most debate.
The plans have been largely supported by anti-alcohol organisations and representative bodies like Alcohol Action Ireland and the National Off-Licence Association (NOFFLA).
The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) has said it supports the Government's "intention to address the sale of cheap alcohol to tackle alcohol misuse".
However, the organisation, which represents drink manufacturers and suppliers here, including Diageo, said it is opposed to the plans to introduce MUP which it says will be "ineffective".
Source: Sam Griffin, Irish Examiner, 20/04/15
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