Doctors' anger over alcohol advertising code
GPs tonight hit out at a new code of practice restricting alcohol advertisements claiming it was a sop to the powerful drinks industry.
With plans for legislation banning ads to youngsters shelved by the Government, the Irish Medical Organisation insisted a voluntary system of controls would not protect children.
IMO leaders claimed the Cabinet had put the commercial interests of the multinationals ahead of the health and well being of Irish citizens.
But the Tánaiste denied she had been swayed.
“If it doesn’t work we will certainly legislate. We have not cancelled the legislation we have not torn it up,” the Tánaiste warned.
“There seems to be some conspiracy theory that the drinks industry have got to me in the last few months since I went to the Department of Health and Children.”
Dr Joe Barry, public health specialist, insisted the Government had been subjected to intense pressure.
“Where the interests of the alcohol industry collide with the health and well being of the public, this Government can be relied on to bow to industry pressure and lobbying,” Dr Barry said.
“The initiative being jointly launched today by Diageo and the Minister for Health and Children will not protect Irish children from alcohol marketing. It is a truly shameful episode in the history of the Department of Health and Children.
But Ms Harney insisted she would not hesitate to bring in legislation if the code was breached.
Plans for legislation to limit alcohol advertising to young people were put on hold earlier this year.
The IMO said around 150,000 under 18’s in Ireland were regular drinkers and the Government had ignored evidence and advice that further legislation was the best way to protect them.
They added that three reports on the matter had been ignored. One from 2001 which called for the exposure of children and adolescents to alcohol ads to be significantly reduced.
It noted the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children which recommended a complete ban on alcohol advertising.
And in September 2004, the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol alluded to a draft Alcohol Products Bill which would restrict exposure of children to alcohol marketing.
Michael Patten, DIGI chairman, said: “The drinks industry is fully committed to the implementation of the codes and the successful achievement of their objectives and we will work with energy with all our members to deliver on this.
Kieran McGeary, IBI vice chairman, said: “We have an opportunity to positively influence the lives of our listeners and viewers and, in particular, influence how young people view alcohol as they grow up.”
An Alcohol Marketing Monitoring Body has been set up to ensure compliance with the new code of practice. Chaired by Peter Cassells it will review material from the Advertising Standards Authority, the Central Copy Clearance, Irish Film Censor Reports and the Joint National Listenership Research.
Reporting to the Tánaiste, the body will identify breaches of the code.
