Children are the “unfortunate collateral damage” of sports sponsorship by the drink industry, a seminar on alcohol has heard.
Fiona Ryan, chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland, said policymakers know what needs to be done to combat the alcohol problem, but “don’t want” to do it.
Health expert Professor Joe Barry said there was no evidence the Government shared the view that action needs to be taken.
They were addressing a seminar organised by Alcohol Action Ireland and Depaul Ireland, which works with the homeless.
“Policymakers know what needs to be done, but don’t want to do it,” said Ms Ryan.
She said the Government will make noises about acting, while at the same time wanting to maintain the revenue from alcohol consumption.
She said the argument in favour of sports sponsorship was illogical: “The argument is we need alcohol money to fund sports to keep young people away from alcohol.”
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner. 14/03/13
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
