The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) and the National Off-Licence Association (NOffla) have welcomed the publication of the Heads of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015.
The Heads published will form the basis of The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill to be drafted, which is set to include minimum pricing on alcohol units, health labelling on drinks, new regulation on advertising and new enforcement powers for Environmental Health Officers.
Ross Mac Mathúna, Director of ABFI commented, "We hope that today can mark the beginning of a new era of engagement, where all of the relevant parties, from drinks manufacturers and suppliers, to publicans, the supermarkets, government departments and medical bodies can come together to devise and implement evidence-based solutions that will have a lasting impact on alcohol misuse in this country."
Government Affairs Director of NOffLA, Evelyn Jones stated, "NOffLA has long maintained that this Bill is a vital tool in addressing social health and public order issues while also encouraging a sustainable retail environment." She also warned of the necessity for an appropriate minimum price, which NOffla advises as 70c per unit of alcohol.
Jones went on to praise the Government decision to introduce the structural separation of alcohol from other products under Section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008. NOffla feel that this will prevent consumers from uninformed choices by separating alcohol from impulse buy products.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
