Sir, - The recently launched National Health Promotion Strategy acknowledged the need to "health-proof" policies that directly or indirectly affect health.
Alcohol plays an important role in our social, cultural and sporting activities. It is a drug and the dangers of alcohol are all too familiar. Excessive drinking has serious consequences in personal, medical and social terms while even a moderate amount can impair judgement at critical moments. The National Alcohol Policy was published in September 1996 to promote moderation in the consumption of alcohol and reduce the risks to physical, mental and family health that can arise from its misuse.
However, just over three years after the publication of the policy, questions have to be asked of the commitment of the Government, and of the Department of Health and Children in particular, to this alcohol policy given the lack of "health proofing" of some recent policy changes made by the Government. Recent decisions to increase the opening hours of licensed premises and to force down the price of alcohol fly in the face of the National Alcohol Policy, which states that the most effective measures in preventing excessive drinking are high prices and the restriction on the availability of alcohol.
Young people are starting to drink, becoming regular drinkers and experiencing drunkenness at an earlier age than previously. Given that the overall level of drinking in a population is significantly related to the level of alcohol-related problems that the population will experience, we are heading for trouble. Limiting the hours and days of sale has been shown to reduce overall consumption and alcohol related problems. Why are the licensing hours being increased? Who wants it? Are the needs of tourists, the tourism industry and alcohol-related industries to be put ahead of the public health needs of the country? Where is the "health proofing"?
Where is the National Alcohol Policy? It is not listed amongst the Department of Health and Children's 1996 publications on its website. Out of sight, out of mind? The evidence-based strategies in the National Alcohol Policy have been brushed aside to be replaced by short-term political interventions. The long-term result will be an increase in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. We call on the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheal Martin, to act as an advocate for public health on the alcohol issue. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Declan Bedford, Faculty of Public Health Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.