PRESS RELEASE
Children Put First with the Public Health Alcohol Bill
Today the Children’s Rights Alliance welcomed the vote by Dáil Eireann to pass the Public Health Alcohol Bill last night.
Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said: “Too often, alcohol is a blight on children’s lives and ruins their childhoods. The passage of the Public Health Alcohol Bill through the Dáil marks an important milestone for Ireland as it sends a clear message that we want to minimise the devastating and lasting damage caused to children and young people due to alcohol. It was down to the vision and commitment of our political leaders led by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health, Simon Harris and our Oireachtas Health Spokespersons and Champions (Louise O’Reilly, Stephen Donnelly, Alex White, Frances Black, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Róisín Shortall) that made this happen. They came together to protect future generations of children and young people from the detrimental impact of alcohol on children’s lives. Significant numbers of young people in Ireland begin drinking at an early age, putting further strain on our health system and family services which are already besieged of alcohol-related harm. This has to end. The measures in the Public Health Alcohol Bill brings us closer to ending this public health crisis.
It is crucial that this legislation is enacted and implemented as soon as possible. With the passing of this legislation and looking to the future, it is now an opportune time to begin a dialogue on the role of alcohol sponsorship and sports, together with, online advertising which is persuasive and everywhere. We know that they impact children and young people and both need to be tackled head-on.”
ENDS
Contact: Tanya Ward Tel: 01-6629400 / 087 6531069, Email: tanya@childrensrights.ie.
Notes to Editor:
• Tanya Ward is available for interview.
About the Children’s Rights Alliance
Founded in 1995, the Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. Further information is available at: www.childrensrights.ie or on Twitter, @ChildRightsIRL