Govt 'putting interests of drink firms ahead of public health'
03/05/2006 - 11:49:16Health experts are accusing the Government of putting the interests of the drinks industry ahead of those of the public.
The accusation was made today at a conference on addiction that is being held in Cork this week.
Public health lecturer Joe Barry said drinks companies were promoting underage drinking and binge-drinking by fostering an image of alcohol as glamorous and risk-free.
However, he said, Minister for Health Mary Harney had caved in to lobbying from the alcohol industry and decided to ignore advice from a government task force which recommended an end to the sponsorship of cultural events by drinks firms.
