Madam, – (Front page, September 10th) Dr Bobby Smyth is quoted as saying that to address alcohol misuse in Ireland, we should increase taxes, reduce availability, and restrict promotion of alcohol.
I would like to point out that Dr Smyth’s formula will not achieve its aim of reducing alcohol misuse.
Irish consumers – the overwhelming majority of whom consume alcohol in a mature and responsible manner – are already subject to the highest alcohol taxes in Europe. The drinks industry in Ireland must also comply with some of the toughest and most stringent restrictions and self-regulating codes on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship anywhere in the world. Radical restrictions on the availability of alcohol have been tried in Nordic countries for many decades, again without the desired objective of reducing alcohol misuse.
Addressing misuse is an issue that cannot be solved by knee-jerk reactions and legislation. A whole-of-society effort is required involving Government, State agencies, the drinks industry, parents, educators, and individuals to promote the responsible attitude to alcohol consumption that we all desire. – Yours, etc,