THE North West Alcohol
Forum (NWAF) is urging groups on the southern side
of the border to support proposals in the North for
minimum alcohol prices.
The SDLP Minister for Social Development Alex
Attwood and Ulster Unionist Minister for Health
Michael McGimpsey this week launched a 16-week
consultation process aimed at introducing minimum
drink prices. Alcohol abuse costs Northern Ireland
up to £900 million per year and psychiatrists say
the move could reduce suicide and self-harm.
NWAF director Eamon O’Kane said: “A focus on minimum
pricing is about reducing volume sales of alcohol
and there is clear international evidence that a
minimum price for alcohol will dramatically assist a
reduction in alcohol consumption.
"For those who live in the border corridor,
supermarket alcohol prices in NI are impacting on
both alcohol consumption and sales in the Republic.
For that reason it is important that the public and
vintners in the Republic contribute to the NI
consultation as a successful outcome there, will
have positive impact on the border corridor.”
Recent research at the University of Sheffield found
that a minimum price per unit of alcohol reduced
levels of alcohol consumption by 10.3 per cent among
harmful drinkers and 3.8 per cent among moderate
drinkers, said Mr O'Kane.
He added: “It is important that a greater degree of
co-operation takes place between the Northern and
Southern populations to address alcohol-related
harm. This consultation offers an opportunity for
that collaboration to lead to mutual benefit and we
hope that people in the border corridor will take
the opportunity to have their say.”
The Northern Ireland consultation process runs until
June 26, 2011 and can be accessed via the
www.dsdni.gov.uk
website. People can also contact the North West
Alcohol Forum for information on
info@nwaf.ie or by
ringing 074 9125596. |
