Sir, - In response to a warning by Bishop Thomas Finnegan that alcohol was being promoted to young people, a spokesman for the alcohol industry, Mr Barry, issued the explanation, so familiar from tobacco industry spokespersons, that advertising was not about increasing consumption but about promoting brands (The Irish Times, April 19th).
The facts are that the alcohol industry actively promotes alcohol consumption among young people - and in educational institutions - and that promotion is highly successful.
It is now a matter of major concern to educational authorities at second and third-level that excessive alcohol consumption is seriously affecting the performance and successful participation of many young people and ruining their chances in life. This is happening at a time when the Government is actively promoting inclusiveness and higher participation.
Much part-time work undertaken by young students is undertaken in order to pay for alcohol. Alcohol consumption by young people brings serious tragedies. People in positions like mine can name students whose deaths were caused by alcohol-related "accidents". If so many deaths were caused by other reasons there would be Government interventions to eliminate the causes.
The promotion of alcohol to young people makes no reference to alcoholism in young people, unwanted pregnancies directly linked to its consumption, alcohol related deaths and injuries, and, at a time of great opportunity for those who develop their full potential, wastage and lack of success in educational participation directly attributable to alcohol consumption. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Sean McDonagh, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Co Louth.