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To: Dail and Seanad

Stop the alcohol industry killing the Public Health Alcohol Bill

Ignore alcohol industry lobbying for changes which make the Alcohol Public Health Bill less effective at reducing alcohol abuse

Why is this important?

Every one of us knows someone who has been affected by alcohol abuse.

85% of people think we drink too much and this needs to change.

The new Alcohol Public Health bill is based on international research and is a package of changes proven to work. But it is under threat because the alcohol industry is lobbying our politicians to change it using a wide range of tactics. They even had to be told to stop harassing Senators on their way into the Seanad. Politicians say they have never seen anything like it.

The Alcohol Industry are right in one respect. The new bill will not solve Ireland's alcohol abuse problem. It is however a vital first step in changing our culture so that children as young as 8 years are not brainwashed into thinking being Irish means drinking.

Like a motor car which can't run properly if it loses a wheel, removing or changing sections of the bill means 3 people will continue to die each day from alcohol abuse.

The alcohol industry is using Trump like tactics of fear and misinformation to get TDs and Senators to accept amendments. Examples include

Alcohol Industry "Drink prices will increase"
Fact: At the current proposed minimum unit price, drink prices will only increase if retailers are selling below cost or really cheap strong alcohol.

Alcohol Industry “The Bill will damage our economy."
Fact: we taxpayers subsidise alcohol industry profits by €1 billion euro each year (even after excise duties etc.) due to costs of alcohol harm.
Reducing alcohol consumption to lower levels will benefit the economy.

Alcohol Industry: It will cost retailers too much to segregate alcohol products as they have to build walls.
Fact: Retailers can choose how they will separate alcohol products once they restrict display of alcohol products.

Alcohol Industry "Voluntary advertising codes work"
As the Conor Mc Gregor Budweiser campaign showed voluntary codes do not prevent children being targeted. Advertising will still be allowed under the new bill.

Real change happens when everyday people like you and I come together and stand up for what we believe in. Together we can reach lots of people and help create change around this important issue.

After you've signed the petition, could you also take a moment to share it with others? It's really easy – all you need to do is share below.

Thank you!

Links

Updates

2018-10-19 18:21:56 +0100

The bill has been signed into law by the President. Thanks to everybody who helped. https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2018/1003/1000785-alcohol-bill/

2018-10-04 23:35:42 +0100

The Bill comes back into the Dail and is approved. It is hoped it will go through the Seanad soon. Thanks to everybody who supported this. For full report https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2018/1003/1000785-alcohol-bill/

2018-10-02 08:55:40 +0100

The Public Health Alcohol bill came back into the Dail
It was hoped the bill would be approved by the Dail on Wednesday. The debate started in the evening and ran for over 4 hours. A small number of deputies kept talking with total misinformation.

Michael Healy Rae- Yes- he of the publican family, that thinks overgrown hedges kills more people, thought the bill was aimed at young people only.

In fairness, Stephen Donnelly, the Fianna Fail spokesman on health withdrew his amendment as he did not want to delay the bill. He also admitted to now being aware of the links between alcohol and cancer.

With all the hot air, though the debate ran out of time. As one commentator said

“Listening to the filibustering and misinformation in the Dail by a handful of Deputies.
We have been apple picking in orchards in childhood and down the Wild Atlantic Way”

The Bill is due back in the Dail tomorrow.

2018-09-21 15:21:26 +0100

From Alcohol Action Ireland
"The Bill, which was to have its Report and Final Stage taken in Dáil Éireann last Wednesday, was postponed. This development was deeply regrettable, and while it may have limited impact, each co-signature of these amendments have been publicly criticised in each of their constituencies local media (Cork, Kilkenny, Dundalk, Tullamore, Sligo-Leitrim and Roscommon) and most recently by our Chair, Prof. Frank Murray on Newstalk radio yesterday morning, for their role of delay at this crucial stage. Our colleagues at the Irish Cancer Society have also challenged the Minister on media reports that indicate some change to the proposed cancer warnings for alcohol products: See

https://www.cancer.ie/about-us/news/irish-cancer-society-urges-minister-not-cave-industry-health-labelling#sthash.jmASYe7U.dpbs

A view shared with AAI:
http://alcoholireland.ie/alcohol-action-ireland-calls-tds-stand-firm-back-protection-public-health/

2018-09-17 09:15:48 +0100

Dear Supporter
The Alcohol Public Health Bill has passed EU scrutiny. It’s due back in the Dail this Wednesday.
But in a cynical attempt to delay it, 13 TD’s have tabled various amendments including one which requires putting the warning labels on alcohol in Irish.
These amendments will mean the bill will have to go back to the EU. This will put it on pause for a minimum of 3 months and up to 18 months.
With a general election coming the bill could even fall all together.
The TD’s who have listed amendments include
1. Stephen Donnelly (withdrew amendment later on)
2. Bobby Aylward
3. Declan Breathnach,
4. Kevin O’Keeffe
5. Eamon Scanlon
6. Fine Gael TDs
7. Peter Burke,
8. Pat Deering
9. Peter Fitzpatrick and
10. Tony Mc Loughlin
11. Michael Collins
12. Michael Fitzmaurice
13. Noel Grealish
14. Carol Nolan

2018-06-09 08:54:04 +0100

.The EU consultation stage finishes on the 20th July. The Alcohol industry have been vocal in their opposition, with much of the media reporting these concerns as facts. However the EU is unlikely to suggest major amendments to the bill. Still no sign of the bill going to Dail Committee stage. So please continue to ask your TD’s for a date for this.

2018-05-17 12:17:11 +0100

On the 1st of may, Scotland implemented minumum unit pricing which is a key part of the Irish Bill. See http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/Alcohol/minimum-pricing
for more details.

2018-04-27 14:04:06 +0100

The Taoiseach promotes a wine on his Twitter account. Meanwhile the Oireachtas rugby team is sponsored by Diageo!
We're told the bill will be brought to the committee stage before the Summer recess.

2018-04-15 17:30:05 +0100

The Bill is now awaiting the Committee stage. Meanwhile the legislation to allow drinking on Good Friday which was drafted later has been passed and implemented. Priorities!

2018-02-04 14:45:55 +0000

The bill is back in the Dail this week. If you would like to know more, the link below will tell you all about it.

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/feff632718aac2f2c4a1f0cc1/files/cb43b379-0f79-48b1-8662-3dbc6ab45db6/AAI_FAQs_PHAB_2018_.pdf

2017-11-10 19:13:10 +0000

Well after 8 hours of debate the Bill was finally approved by the Seanad. Some Senators such as Frances Black really took the lead and others such as Michael Mc Dowell showed a lack of awareness of the impact of advertising on children. You can watch the debate here http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=37195&&CatID=129

Now the bill will move to the Report stage back in the Dail. It's still not certain the bill will pass as big alcohol will continue to lobby for changes. So if you are talking to your elected representatives, tell them you support the bill.

2017-10-12 17:13:09 +0100

1,000 signatures reached

2017-05-08 06:51:14 +0100

This week, Big Alcohol released a report saying alcohol alcohol consumption is going down in Ireland. INCORRECT Alcohol consumption went up nearly 5% in 2016.
See this link
http://alcoholireland.ie/irelands-per-capita-alcohol-consumption-increased-2016/

2017-01-07 20:49:53 +0000

The Elephant in the Trolley beds
Over 600 seriously ill people were waiting on hospital beds during the week. There was extenisve coverage in the media of possible solutions like more tax payers money in health care. Yet no one mentioned the elephant in the rooms (or in this case the trolley beds. ) There are 1,500 hospital beds tied up in treating people with alcohol related illnesses such as cancer, dementia, liver failure, stroke etc.
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/feff632718aac2f2c4a1f0cc1/images/a8c96210-88e2-4bb4-8507-dfb49233b93d.png

2016-11-25 03:46:14 +0000

500 signatures reached