Sir, - I wish to compliment the Government and Dβil on passing the Public Health (Tobacco) Bill. It increases restrictions on advertising sponsorship and sales of tobacco because of the serious health effects (The Irish Times, December 14th 2001).
Alcohol, on the other hand, is responsible for more deaths and serious health problems than tobacco (WHO). It is also responsible for 60 per cent of suicides, 40 per cent of domestic violence, road traffic deaths and drownings. It also devastates families and destroys individuals. Eighty per cent of our 16-year-olds are now drinking alcohol.
But in effect the opposite official attitude pertains with alcohol: massive sums of money are spent on its promotion through advertising and sponsorship and recently it was made even more available through the extension of opening hours.
Why the double standards? Is it because of the £4 billion we spend annually on alcohol? Is it because of the immense influence of the drinks industry through its massive sponsorship of events, in return buying silence?
If any other substance was the cause of such serious consequences there would be public outcry and protest.
In 1995, the National Alcohol Policy was launched and the European Alcohol Charter was adopted. If we are serious in tackling the massive problems of alcohol abuse, it is time they were implemented. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Michael Loftus, (Dothain), Main Street, Crossmolina, Co Mayo.