AN ADVERTISING GROUP warned the government that it could take legal action over new laws that will prohibit alcohol ads near schools and on public transport.
The Outdoor Media Association (OMA), a group representing Ireland’s three largest outdoor media companies, issued the warning amid concerns over the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, which passed in the Dáil following years of debate last year.
From 12 November, alcohol ads in or on public transport vehicles, at public transport stops or stations, and within 200 metres of schools, crèches and playgrounds will be banned by law.
The laws will also prohibit alcohol advertising in sports areas during sporting events and at events aimed at children or where the majority of participants are children from 2020.
However, in a letter to Minister of State for Health Promotion Catherine Byrne last September, OMA president Joanne Grant claimed the bill would have “negative and unintended consequences”.
The correspondence, released to TheJournal.ie under the Freedom of Information Act, appealed for changes to be made to the bill to avoid the passing of “a bad law”.
Source: Stephen McDermott, The Journal, 21st February 2019
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