Since 2001, the average per adult alcohol consumption has fallen by 23.3% in Ireland, according to the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI).
The group, which represents drinks manufacturers and distributors in Ireland, was responding to the latest Lancet report, which it said was incorrect with regards to Ireland’s consumption data.
Incorrect
“The consumption data for Ireland referenced in this Lancet report is incorrect,” Patricia Callan, Director of ABFI, said.
“According to the latest figures from the CSO and the Revenue Commissioners, the average per adult consumption was 11.094 litres of pure alcohol (LPA) in Ireland in 2018.
“It increased marginally by 0.1% from 2017, where it stood at 11.080 LPA. The Lancet report states that it was 13.2 litres in 2017.”
Callan also added that, in recent years, consumption has remained relatively static, hovering at approximately 11LPA since 2012.
“This is despite an improving economy and population growth,” she said.
Underage Drinking
Callan also cited figures from the World Health Organisation, in relation to underage drinking, which shows that alcohol consumption among teenagers has also dramatically declined.
In Ireland, the figure has fallen by 8.6% between 2002 and 2014, from 12.7% to 4.1%. This is well below the 12.9% average in the European region.
“While these are positive indications that we are moving in the right direction, we firmly believe that alcohol misuse and underage drinking should never happen and are fully committed to tackling these issues,” Callan explained.
“We will continue to work as an industry and with relevant stakeholders to tackle alcohol misuse and underage drinking, as we have always done,” she said.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
