Cheaper Alcohol Will Have 'Hugely' Damaging Consequences - Alcohol Action Ireland

The selling of cheaper alcohol will have hugely damaging consequences for health and well-being in Ireland, Alcohol Action Ireland has warned.

"The success of Irish tourism is effectively being used as a smokescreen by the alcohol industry which is trying to force through an excise duty cut on the grounds that it is key to our tourism offering and our economy," said Suzanne Costello, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland.

"Tourism does not depend on the availability of cheap alcohol and is not impacted negatively by increases in excise duty. Those who claim otherwise have absolutely no evidence to support these claims. In fact, during the two most recent years when excise duty was increased, 2013 and 2014, the number of overseas visitors to Ireland increased by one million, reaching record numbers in the first half of this year, as Irish tourism continues to go from strength to strength, boosted by excellent initiatives such as the Wild Atlantic Way.

"While the alcohol industry is keen to emphasise the pub and its role in tourism, the inconvenient truth it is failing to mention is that a cut in excise duty would make the very cheapest alcohol on sale in the off-trade, particularly supermarkets, even cheaper too. Therefore, it would also serve to increase the risks for those vulnerable groups, including young people, who favour the strongest, cheapest alcohol, as well all those in society impacted by alcohol-related harm."

(CD)