A ban on alcohol advertising and the introduction of higher taxation on drink are among measures called for by the Mayo coroner, Dr Mick Loftus, writing in a religious magazine. He also claims that attendance by the President at the Budweiser Derby and by the Taoiseach at the Festival of Kerry (sponsored by Guinness) gives the impression "the leaders of our country are endorsing these companies and their products".
Writing in the current issue of the Redemptorist magazine, Real- ity, he also calls for stricter controls on sponsorship by drinks companies, a reduction in the legal blood alcohol level for drivers, to between 20ml and 30ml, and severe penalties for those selling alcohol to the young.
He describes abuse of alcohol as "the single biggest social problem in Ireland today". More than 50 per cent of the inquests over which he presides in north Mayo are alcohol-related, he writes, and "in the majority of cases the victims are young people." And he has found that nothing contributes more towards the destruction of families and marriages today than the abuse of alcohol.
Alcohol is "more potent than all the illicit drugs except morphine and heroin," he writes, describing it as "the real drug problem in Ireland." He accuses the politicians of "doing nothing about it," and refers to an EU objective to reduce alcohol consumption in member-states by 25 per cent before the year 2000.
Irish people are spending £2.5 billion on alcohol a year, more than the health or unemployment budget, he writes, "yet the Government takes only £800 million a year in taxes on alcohol."
He is critical of drinks companies which, "in a cunning and cynical way", sponsor sports events and festivals associated with young people.
