A CAMPAIGN to introduce mandatory guidelines for the promotion, marketing and retailing throughout the EU of alcoholic lemonades, known as "alcopops", has been initiated within the European Parliament.
If more than half the MEPs in the Parliament sign a written declaration within three months, it will force the European Commission to take on board their views on the drinks products, which are, in effect, soft drinks with alcohol aimed at the youth market.
Most have an alcoholic content of between 4 and 6 per cent.
These products, known for their colourful labelling and trendy packaging, are on sale in most EU states, including Ireland, where the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, has expressed concerns about their content, labelling and the way they are marketed.
The Italian government recently attempted to curtail alcoholic lemonades by taxing them heavily, while the British government has warned alcohol companies to stop making the drinks attractive to children.
Speaking after she was the first Irish MEP to sign the declaration Ms Bernie Malone (Lab) said the case for strict guidelines was undeniable. "Alcohol companies should not be allowed target the products at young people who can be quite impressionable. I find it unethical."
The European Commission should come forward with guidelines immediately, she said.