Sir, – Why restrict plain packaging to cigarettes? Applying the same principle to alcohol, effectively ending the glamorisation of drinking and sponsorship of sporting events and clothing (including jerseys in child sizes), would have a far more beneficial impact on the wellness of Irish society. – Yours, etc, ULTAN Ó BROIN South Circular Road, Dublin 8. Sir, – On Claire Byrne Live on RTÉ One this week, during an item dealing with the sponsorship of sports events by alcohol companies, former Irish rugby star Dennis Hickie said he was opposed to such sponsorship and called for it to be rejected by sporting bodies.
Big sport is bigger business and many clubs relying on attendances at turnstiles to pay their way would go to the wall.
With the expectations and demands of many players in professional sports for extravagantly exorbitant payment, gate receipts alone cannot satisfy this demand. Sponsorship must be sought to keep players in the luxury they have become accustomed to.
Maybe if sports stars modified their monetary demands on club and country and pitched their reward expectations to reflect the realities facing many sporting clubs and organisations, alcohol sponsorship might not be such an imperative to the promotion and survival of sport. – Yours , etc, TOM COOPER Templeogue, Dublin 6w.