Sir, – It’s very obvious from the Government’s different responses to the alcohol and smoking issues,which of these two industries (tobacco and alcohol) exerts the greatest clout in this country.
Tobacco can’t advertise or offer sponsorship and now its having its shiny packaging taken away – all good news. Alcohol can advertise, offer sponsorship, hold an annual “let’s all drink as much as we can day” and keep its shiny packaging!
If the Government and Minister for Health James Reilly are so convinced that plain pack cigarettes will reduce cigarette smoking, then by logic, what works for cigarettes should also work to reduce alcohol consumption: introduce plain bottle alcohol. And while they’re at it, ban alcohol sponsorship and advertising. – Yours,etc,
PATRICK PIDGEON,
Deerpark Court,
Blessington,
Co Wicklow.