A charity has claimed that comments by Heineken’s chief executive about the company’s campaign for responsible drinking are an effort to undermine forthcoming legislation on the sale of alcohol.
Alcohol Action Ireland’s comments come following a presentation by Heineken’s Maggie Timoney on Tuesday during which she said brewers have a “moral obligation” to make it “uncool to be drunk in Ireland”.
However, she expressed doubts that the provisions of the forthcoming Public Health Bill would reduce harmful drinking, suggested the industry should promote responsible drinking through advertising and awareness campaigns.
Conor Cullen of Alcohol Action Ireland said it believes the drinks industry is responding to the legislation because it fears the measures will see a reduction in profits.
“We have no issue with Heineken or anyone else trying to make being drunk uncool, as long as they are not trying to block public health measures at the same time,” said Mr Cullen.
“You cannot reduce the harm caused by alcohol abuse without reducing alcohol consumption. Alcohol companies seek to increase their profits, they have a legal obligation to their shareholders to do that. There is an inherent conflict of interest there.
“If the alcohol industry was genuinely interested in reducing the harm caused by alcohol and drunkenness then they would support the Public Health Bill rather than far less effective campaigns that are not a credible solution to the problem.”
Source: Joe Leogue, Irish Examiner, 04/02/16
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