Drinking curbs planned by Irish government

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 07 Mar 2004 - 0:00 PDT


First it was smoking, now it is drinking. The Irish Health Minister, Michael Martin, has pledged to bring in new laws to control alcohol consumption.

Ireland's smoking controls are quite strict. Anyone found smoking a cigarette (cigar, pipe) in any bar or restaurant after March 29 this year will be liable to a fine of up to 3,000 Euros ($3,500).

Michael Martin says he plans to encourage responsible drinking and bear down on underage drinking.

Michael Martin said 'I believe we are getting to the stage where as a nation we are willing to confront the fact that we have a serious problem relating to alcohol abuse. One terrible statistic shows that Ireland has had the highest increase in alcohol consumption of any European country in the last decade.'

Between 1990 and 2000 alcohol consumption in Ireland increased by 42%.

Mr Martin said that this is causing physical, mental, social and financial problems.

Mr Martin said 'This is not about those people who like a social drink, or every now and again have a few too many, it's about a problem which has gone too far and is having very real consequences for all parts of our society. New legislation I will introduce will control the advertising, sponsorship and marketing of alcohol to reduce the exposure of children and teenagers to alcohol promotion,' Mr Martin said.

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