Madam, – Alison Healy’s article (Home News, September 10th) on Dr Bobby Smyth’s talk in UCD on Wednesday night was very informative and outlined some key points. However, while each point cannot be separated by its level of impact or importance, the fact that Irish teenagers spend €144 million per year on alcohol also warrants attention. Furthermore, Dr Smyth reported that there had been no increase in tax on beer for the past 10 years. He also highlighted the availability of “economically-wise” beer and referred to Budweiser being the preferred purchase of teenagers at 90c a bottle in one of our major outlets (Tesco).
With our Government and economists debating where to allocate increased taxes, why has this area not been addressed, or is it perhaps a balance between the reaction of the electorate versus the strength both financially and politically of the vintners’ association?
It is time our nation’s leaders tried to change the mindset of Irish adults regarding alcohol and our tolerance for drunkenness, in the hope that we can lead our youth by example. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I agree with Kieran Tobin (September 11th) that the issue of alcohol misuse cannot be solved with knee-jerk reactions or legislation, but I am a bit flummoxed about his suggestion that we all should promote a “responsible attitude” to alcohol consumption.
Here, in the UK, the drinks industry spends some £800 million a year promoting its product. The level of binge drinking in this country is a stain on the nation’s character. Our hospital wards are full of middle-aged patients with drink-related illnesses while farther along the corridor in A E, younger drunks are smashing the place up.
Drink plays a significant role in domestic violence, and drunken feral youths, fuelled by easily available, cheap alcohol, are causing havoc on our streets. The situation is not helped by licensed premises offering promotions which are simply too good to refuse. Happy hour, two for one, that sort of thing.
The British Medical Association has proposed a total ban of the advertising of alcohol. I believe that although this would not be a panacea, it would be a step in the right direction. Adverts that suggest that alcohol is needed to have a good time, will make you more attractive to the opposite sex or will enhance your sporting prowess are simply reprehensible and difficult to justify.
Of course, most of us drink responsibly but this does not detract from the fact that excessive drinking is a serious threat to the social fabric of our society. – Yours, etc,
Madam, — Could Kieran Tobin (September 11th) of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland tell us if the selling of shots, alcoholic drinks bought specifically by people to get drunk more quickly, are part of his group’s effort “to promote the responsible attitude to alcohol consumption that we all desire”?
Could he also define what consuming alcohol in a “mature and responsible manner” is? – Yours, etc,