Calls for swift implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill

“Hundreds of deaths could be avoided every year by introducing a minimum price for alcohol”, according to Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking in the Dáil today (Tuesday).

“Three people are dying every day due to alcohol and 2,000 hospital beds are occupied every night by people with alcohol related illnesses.

“Due to low supermarket prices and aggressive price promotions, consumers can purchase large amounts of alcohol at ridiculously low prices.

“Hundreds of deaths could be avoided every year with a minimum price for alcohol units. According to the 2014 Health Research Board Survey there are 2.48 million people in Ireland who drink alcohol and 54 per cent of those drink harmfully and excessively.

“We are failing our young people by not responding to the normalisation of alcohol misuse through the cheap and widespread availability of alcohol.

“If we are to effectively tackle this culture of harmful binge drinking then we need to urgently tackle the key areas of alcohol pricing marketing and availability, beginning with the swift implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.”