Sir, - I join Canon Lougheed (November 22nd) in calling for the tackling of the damage and misery caused by the alcohol culture. As he rightly states, this needs to be tackled just as strongly as the smoking culture. However, as Dr Loftus, who has done trojan work in raising awareness of the catastrophic effects of alcohol abuse over the years, could confirm, such calls are wasted on the desert air. Who cares when there is up to £8 million generated each day in Ireland in the sale of alcohol?
So much effort is expended, and rightly so, in trying to ensure our young people do not injure their health through smoking, but no effort is made to ensure that they are not damaged through alcohol abuse. - Yours, etc.,
Mrs Mary Stewart, Ardeskin, Donegal Town.