Sir, – It was refreshing to see in "One More Thing: Demon drink tax dominates tourism debate" (Business, August 28th) the "Support Your Local" campaign recognised for what it is – a concerted effort to achieve a cut in excise duty and make alcohol cheaper, thereby increasing profits for the "multinational behemoths that dominate the drink manufacturing sector".
However, contrary to what was stated, alcohol consumption in Ireland is not falling. It is lower than it was at our peak consumption, but it increased last year, to 11 litres of pure alcohol per capita, and figures from the Revenue Commissioners indicate that it is on course to increase again this year, threatening to make an already serious public health problem even worse.
This makes it even more unfathomable why the Government should consider cutting excise duty in a country with such high levels of alcohol harm, which have a detrimental impact not just on the health of individuals, but on our society and our economy. – Yours, etc,
CONOR CULLEN,
Head of Communications
and Advocacy,
Alcohol Action Ireland,
Butler Court,
Great Strand Street,
Dublin 1.