Alcohol Action Ireland's Pre-Budget Submission 2014 calls for the introduction of minimum pricing. Minimum pricing has the potential to significantly reduce alcohol-related harm in Ireland, resulting in a reduction of the substantial costs incurred by the State and the number of lives lost due to alcohol in Ireland every year.
Myths about alcohol for example
Finns have allways been heavy drinkers,
We should embrace the European drinking habits, education is a good way to decrease drinking
Myths about alcohol for example
Finns have allways been heavy drinkers,
We should embrace the European drinking habits, education is a good way to decrease drinking
The UAE government is continuing to show leadership when it comes to clamping down on unhealthy products being produced for human consumption following its..
Grant Thornton Illicit Trade Survey Findings March 2014Amarach Research
Details of surveys of consumers and retailers about illicit trade in relation to alcohol, tobacco, fuel, food, pharmaceutical products and digital copyright.
The surveys were conducted on behalf Grant Thornton as inputs into their report Illicit Trade in Ireland.
A catalogue of fact sheets has been compiled in order to give journalists an idea of the breadth of statistical information available at the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).
These fact sheets cover a range of subjects at a national level broken down by individual subject areas.
Download this fact sheet to understand more about "Alcohol"
Dr Evelyn Gillan, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, on the campaign for minimum pricing on alcohol in Scotland at Alcohol Action Ireland's conference "Time Please... For Change".
Consumer behaviour change before and after covid-19Dhruv Thakkar
In this presentation, There is basic insight of change in customer behaviour before and after covid-19 crisis. The whole data used in presentation is secondary.
Illicit Cigarette Trade: A Global Pandemicwerntzechan
This presentation hopes to raise awareness on the significant societal impacts of illicit cigarette trade. The severity of the resulting economic, social, and health dangers are covered in this presentation; with emphasis on organised crime, terrorism, and youth smoking. For more information, click on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illicit_cigarette_trade
The UAE government is continuing to show leadership when it comes to clamping down on unhealthy products being produced for human consumption following its..
Grant Thornton Illicit Trade Survey Findings March 2014Amarach Research
Details of surveys of consumers and retailers about illicit trade in relation to alcohol, tobacco, fuel, food, pharmaceutical products and digital copyright.
The surveys were conducted on behalf Grant Thornton as inputs into their report Illicit Trade in Ireland.
A catalogue of fact sheets has been compiled in order to give journalists an idea of the breadth of statistical information available at the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).
These fact sheets cover a range of subjects at a national level broken down by individual subject areas.
Download this fact sheet to understand more about "Alcohol"
Dr Evelyn Gillan, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, on the campaign for minimum pricing on alcohol in Scotland at Alcohol Action Ireland's conference "Time Please... For Change".
Consumer behaviour change before and after covid-19Dhruv Thakkar
In this presentation, There is basic insight of change in customer behaviour before and after covid-19 crisis. The whole data used in presentation is secondary.
Illicit Cigarette Trade: A Global Pandemicwerntzechan
This presentation hopes to raise awareness on the significant societal impacts of illicit cigarette trade. The severity of the resulting economic, social, and health dangers are covered in this presentation; with emphasis on organised crime, terrorism, and youth smoking. For more information, click on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illicit_cigarette_trade
Alcohol Action Ireland recommends that excise duty on all alcohol products be increased in Budget 2016 so that the price of alcohol is set at a level that reflects its significant health, social, and economic impacts; the wide range of harm its consumption causes to others; the costs borne by the State and, ultimately, the taxpayer. We also recommend the introduction of a social responsibility levy on the alcohol industry, which currently makes no direct contribution to addressing the considerable financial burden the consumption of its products places on the State.
Päihdepäivät 2023: 12. Suomalainen, ruotsalainen ja norjalainen menivät viina...EHYT
Suomalainen, ruotsalainen ja norjalainen kilpailivat siitä, missä maassa alkoholihaittoja torjutaan parhaiten. Ruotsalainen kehaisee: Ruotsissa keskioluttakin saa myydä vain Systembolagetissa. Norjalainen vastaa: Meillä on Vinmonopolet eikä keskiolutta saa ostaa kioskeilta tai huoltoasemilta. Suomalainen sanoo: Meilläpä saa vahvempia oluita kaupoista ja kioskeista. Lisäksi löytyy suomalaista sisua. Niinpä meillä on huudeltu viinejä kauppoihin jo 30 vuotta.
Suomen alkoholipolitiikka on pohjoismaisittain liberaalia. Miltä Suomen käytännöt ja keskustelukulttuuri näyttävät naapurimaihin verrattuna? Mitä yhteisiä piirteitä maiden välillä on ja missä taas erotaan toisista? Millaisia vaikutuksia erilaisilla toimilla on alkoholin aiheuttamiin haittoihin eri maissa? Muun muassa näihin kysymyksiin pureudutaan kansainvälisten asiantuntijoiden johdolla.
Seminaari on englanninkielinen.
9.00 Tilaisuuden avaus
Puheenjohtaja Juha Mikkonen avaa tilaisuuden ja esittelee alkoholiasenteisiin liittyviä tuloksia EHYTin kansalais- ja ehdokaskyselyistä.
9.15 Katsaus eri pohjoismaiden alkoholipolitiikkaan
Panelistien alustukset
10:00 Paneelikeskustelu
Lauri Beekman, Executive Director, Nordic Alcohol and Drugs Policy Network (NordAN)
Emil Juslin, European Policy Officer, IOGT, Ruotsi
Mariann Skar, former Secretary General, Eurocare, Norja
Pia Mäkelä, Research Professor, THL, Suomi
10.40 Kommenttipuheenvuoro
Sami Kuusela, toimittaja
10.55. Puheenjohtajan loppusanat
Pharmaceutical Healthcare Facts and Figures 2010 provides detailed facts and figures about healthcare in Ireland and the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry both nationally and globally across the following areas: Healthcare Today, Self-Care Today, Demographic Trends, Healthcare Tomorrow, The Medicines Industry, Medicines in the Community and Medicines and Global Health.
Infographic from the Alcohol Health Network giving a clear picture of the issues around over use of alcohol. Thanks to Don Shenker from AHN for his permission to use the infographic.
Free management briefing from Innovation Forum on sustainability issues - and how they are being tackled - in the global alcoholic drinks industry. March 15 2016 London conference also being held. Details at: http://innovation-forum.co.uk/sustainable-drinks.php
Norhern Europeans have allways been heavy drinkers? One can not influence othe peoples drinking? Drinking makes one more social? These and other common beliefs are questioned in the poster exhibition by Boozerellion.
The UK Government is looking to introduce a minimum price per unit for alcoholic drinks. The price muted is 45p which would make a relatively strong can of lager approximately £0.95. Currently a local supermarket is retailing a brand of lager containing 2.1 units per can at the equivalent of £0.75. Under the new legislation, should it come into force, the equivalent box of ten cans would have to be sold at a minimum of £9.46. More of which later. However, why do we need to introduce a minimum price for alcohol?
Recent developments in alcohol policy in the EU (large file)tamsin.rose
presentation on policy aspects on alcohol in Europe including issues of labelling, retail environment, marketing of alcoholic drinks aimed at women and young people
Similar to Alcohol Action Ireland Pre BUdget Submission 2014 (20)
Model-based appraisal of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in the Republic of ...AlcoholActionIreland
In 2013, the Department of Health, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, commissioned the Sheffield Alcohol Research Group (SARG) at the University of Sheffield to conduct a health impact assessment as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. The health impact assessment studied the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact.
Key findings from a report, prepared for the HSE by Dr Ann Hope, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College, Dublin. The report outlines alcohol harm's to others in Ireland, where the burden of alcohol related harm is often experienced by those around the drinker, be they family member, friend, co-worker or innocent ‘bystander’.
Dr Philip McGarry's presentation on alchool’s impact on mental health in Northern Ireland. Dr McGarry is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Mater Hospital in Belfast and was Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Norther Ireland from 2009 to 2013.
This presentation was given at Alcohol Action Ireland's conference, Facing 'The Fear': Alcohol and Mental Health in Ireland, on November 20, 2013.
Dr Bobby Smyth's presentation about current trends in alcohol consumption among young people in Ireland and the impact drinking is having on their mental health. Dr Smyth is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with the HSE, Senior Clinical Lecturer with the Department of Public Health & Primary Care in Trinity College Dublin, and a board member of Alcohol Action Ireland.
This presentation was given at Alcohol Action Ireland's conference, Facing 'The Fear': Alcohol and Mental Health in Ireland, on November 20, 2013.
The Impact of Alcohol on Self-harm and Suicide in Ireland - New Insights.AlcoholActionIreland
Prof Ella Arensman's presentation about the impact of alcohol on self-harm and suicide in Ireland, providing new insights from recently collected data. Prof Arensman is Director of Research with the National Suicide Research Foundation and Adjunct Professor with the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork.
This presentation was given at Alcohol Action Ireland's conference, Facing 'The Fear': Alcohol and Mental Health in Ireland, on November 20, 2013.
Dr Conor Farren's presentation the relationship between alcohol and mental health issues, including depression, in Ireland. Dr Farren is a Consultant Psychiatrist at St Patrick’s University Hospital and a Senior Clinical Lecturer at Trinity College Dublin.
This presentation was given at Alcohol Action Ireland's conference, Facing 'The Fear': Alcohol and Mental Health in Ireland, on November 20, 2013.
Kathleen O’Meara, Head of Advocacy and Communications with the Irish Cancer Society on how tobacco-relatedharm has been reduced at Alcohol Action Ireland's conference "Time Please... For Change"
Prix Galien International 2024 Forum ProgramLevi Shapiro
June 20, 2024, Prix Galien International and Jerusalem Ethics Forum in ROME. Detailed agenda including panels:
- ADVANCES IN CARDIOLOGY: A NEW PARADIGM IS COMING
- WOMEN’S HEALTH: FERTILITY PRESERVATION
- WHAT’S NEW IN THE TREATMENT OF INFECTIOUS,
ONCOLOGICAL AND INFLAMMATORY SKIN DISEASES?
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ETHICS
- GENE THERAPY
- BEYOND BORDERS: GLOBAL INITIATIVES FOR DEMOCRATIZING LIFE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROMOTING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
- ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN LIFE SCIENCES
- Prix Galien International Awards Ceremony
Title: Sense of Smell
Presenter: Dr. Faiza, Assistant Professor of Physiology
Qualifications:
MBBS (Best Graduate, AIMC Lahore)
FCPS Physiology
ICMT, CHPE, DHPE (STMU)
MPH (GC University, Faisalabad)
MBA (Virtual University of Pakistan)
Learning Objectives:
Describe the primary categories of smells and the concept of odor blindness.
Explain the structure and location of the olfactory membrane and mucosa, including the types and roles of cells involved in olfaction.
Describe the pathway and mechanisms of olfactory signal transmission from the olfactory receptors to the brain.
Illustrate the biochemical cascade triggered by odorant binding to olfactory receptors, including the role of G-proteins and second messengers in generating an action potential.
Identify different types of olfactory disorders such as anosmia, hyposmia, hyperosmia, and dysosmia, including their potential causes.
Key Topics:
Olfactory Genes:
3% of the human genome accounts for olfactory genes.
400 genes for odorant receptors.
Olfactory Membrane:
Located in the superior part of the nasal cavity.
Medially: Folds downward along the superior septum.
Laterally: Folds over the superior turbinate and upper surface of the middle turbinate.
Total surface area: 5-10 square centimeters.
Olfactory Mucosa:
Olfactory Cells: Bipolar nerve cells derived from the CNS (100 million), with 4-25 olfactory cilia per cell.
Sustentacular Cells: Produce mucus and maintain ionic and molecular environment.
Basal Cells: Replace worn-out olfactory cells with an average lifespan of 1-2 months.
Bowman’s Gland: Secretes mucus.
Stimulation of Olfactory Cells:
Odorant dissolves in mucus and attaches to receptors on olfactory cilia.
Involves a cascade effect through G-proteins and second messengers, leading to depolarization and action potential generation in the olfactory nerve.
Quality of a Good Odorant:
Small (3-20 Carbon atoms), volatile, water-soluble, and lipid-soluble.
Facilitated by odorant-binding proteins in mucus.
Membrane Potential and Action Potential:
Resting membrane potential: -55mV.
Action potential frequency in the olfactory nerve increases with odorant strength.
Adaptation Towards the Sense of Smell:
Rapid adaptation within the first second, with further slow adaptation.
Psychological adaptation greater than receptor adaptation, involving feedback inhibition from the central nervous system.
Primary Sensations of Smell:
Camphoraceous, Musky, Floral, Pepperminty, Ethereal, Pungent, Putrid.
Odor Detection Threshold:
Examples: Hydrogen sulfide (0.0005 ppm), Methyl-mercaptan (0.002 ppm).
Some toxic substances are odorless at lethal concentrations.
Characteristics of Smell:
Odor blindness for single substances due to lack of appropriate receptor protein.
Behavioral and emotional influences of smell.
Transmission of Olfactory Signals:
From olfactory cells to glomeruli in the olfactory bulb, involving lateral inhibition.
Primitive, less old, and new olfactory systems with different path
Acute scrotum is a general term referring to an emergency condition affecting the contents or the wall of the scrotum.
There are a number of conditions that present acutely, predominantly with pain and/or swelling
A careful and detailed history and examination, and in some cases, investigations allow differentiation between these diagnoses. A prompt diagnosis is essential as the patient may require urgent surgical intervention
Testicular torsion refers to twisting of the spermatic cord, causing ischaemia of the testicle.
Testicular torsion results from inadequate fixation of the testis to the tunica vaginalis producing ischemia from reduced arterial inflow and venous outflow obstruction.
The prevalence of testicular torsion in adult patients hospitalized with acute scrotal pain is approximately 25 to 50 percent
263778731218 Abortion Clinic /Pills In Harare ,sisternakatoto
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Recomendações da OMS sobre cuidados maternos e neonatais para uma experiência pós-natal positiva.
Em consonância com os ODS – Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável e a Estratégia Global para a Saúde das Mulheres, Crianças e Adolescentes, e aplicando uma abordagem baseada nos direitos humanos, os esforços de cuidados pós-natais devem expandir-se para além da cobertura e da simples sobrevivência, de modo a incluir cuidados de qualidade.
Estas diretrizes visam melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados pós-natais essenciais e de rotina prestados às mulheres e aos recém-nascidos, com o objetivo final de melhorar a saúde e o bem-estar materno e neonatal.
Uma “experiência pós-natal positiva” é um resultado importante para todas as mulheres que dão à luz e para os seus recém-nascidos, estabelecendo as bases para a melhoria da saúde e do bem-estar a curto e longo prazo. Uma experiência pós-natal positiva é definida como aquela em que as mulheres, pessoas que gestam, os recém-nascidos, os casais, os pais, os cuidadores e as famílias recebem informação consistente, garantia e apoio de profissionais de saúde motivados; e onde um sistema de saúde flexível e com recursos reconheça as necessidades das mulheres e dos bebês e respeite o seu contexto cultural.
Estas diretrizes consolidadas apresentam algumas recomendações novas e já bem fundamentadas sobre cuidados pós-natais de rotina para mulheres e neonatos que recebem cuidados no pós-parto em unidades de saúde ou na comunidade, independentemente dos recursos disponíveis.
É fornecido um conjunto abrangente de recomendações para cuidados durante o período puerperal, com ênfase nos cuidados essenciais que todas as mulheres e recém-nascidos devem receber, e com a devida atenção à qualidade dos cuidados; isto é, a entrega e a experiência do cuidado recebido. Estas diretrizes atualizam e ampliam as recomendações da OMS de 2014 sobre cuidados pós-natais da mãe e do recém-nascido e complementam as atuais diretrizes da OMS sobre a gestão de complicações pós-natais.
O estabelecimento da amamentação e o manejo das principais intercorrências é contemplada.
Recomendamos muito.
Vamos discutir essas recomendações no nosso curso de pós-graduação em Aleitamento no Instituto Ciclos.
Esta publicação só está disponível em inglês até o momento.
Prof. Marcus Renato de Carvalho
www.agostodourado.com
micro teaching on communication m.sc nursing.pdfAnurag Sharma
Microteaching is a unique model of practice teaching. It is a viable instrument for the. desired change in the teaching behavior or the behavior potential which, in specified types of real. classroom situations, tends to facilitate the achievement of specified types of objectives.
These lecture slides, by Dr Sidra Arshad, offer a quick overview of physiological basis of a normal electrocardiogram.
Learning objectives:
1. Define an electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrocardiography
2. Describe how dipoles generated by the heart produce the waveforms of the ECG
3. Describe the components of a normal electrocardiogram of a typical bipolar leads (limb II)
4. Differentiate between intervals and segments
5. Enlist some common indications for obtaining an ECG
Study Resources:
1. Chapter 11, Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th edition
2. Chapter 9, Human Physiology - From Cells to Systems, Lauralee Sherwood, 9th edition
3. Chapter 29, Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 26th edition
4. Electrocardiogram, StatPearls - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549803/
5. ECG in Medical Practice by ABM Abdullah, 4th edition
6. ECG Basics, http://www.nataliescasebook.com/tag/e-c-g-basics
Couples presenting to the infertility clinic- Do they really have infertility...Sujoy Dasgupta
Dr Sujoy Dasgupta presented the study on "Couples presenting to the infertility clinic- Do they really have infertility? – The unexplored stories of non-consummation" in the 13th Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE 2024) at Manila on 24 May, 2024.
2. Who we are
Alcohol Action Ireland is the national charity for alcohol-related issues. We work to raise awareness of alcohol-related
harm and the solutions needed to reduce that harm.
Recommendations
nn Introduce a legislative basis for minimum pricing
nn Introduce a social responsibility levy on the alcohol industry
Introduction
Alcohol consumption is responsible for a wide range of health and social harms in Irish society and also places a
significant burden on the resources of the State, which has to deal with the consequences of its use and misuse.
The State currently spends an estimated €3.7 billion on alcohol-related harm every year, with alcohol-related health
and crime costs accounting for around €2.4 billion of that total figure.i Meanwhile, CSO figures show that the total
personal spend on alcohol in Ireland increased for the second year running in 2012 to €6.36 billion. That’s one in
every €13 that we spend.
The human costs are also high, with three people dying every day from an alcohol-related illness.ii The situation is
not improving. Chronic alcohol-related conditions are becoming increasingly common among younger age groups in
Ireland, including men and women in their 20s who have been drinking heavily since their mid-teens.iii
The Steering Group Report on the National Substance Misuse Strategy (2012) contains 45 recommendations
to reduce alcohol-related harm in Ireland. Introducing a legislative basis for minimum pricing is one of the key
recommendations made by the Steering Group, which said that: “in order to tackle the very low cost at which
alcohol is sold in the off-trade sector (particularly in supermarkets), a minimum pricing regime on alcohol products
should be introduced”.
The Steering Group considered the economic benefits of the alcohol industry to the Irish economy against the
resultant health and social harms caused by alcohol use and misuse in Irish society and was “satisfied that the
burden of health harms and the social consequences of harmful use of alcohol demanded the implementation of
further measures to protect and preserve public health”.
MINIMUM PRICING
What is minimum pricing?
Minimum pricing is a “floor price” beneath which alcohol cannot be sold and is based on the amount of alcohol in a
product, measured in units or grams.
It is a targeted measure, designed to stop strong alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices in the off-trade,
particularly supermarkets.
These strong and cheap drinks are the alcohol products favoured by the heaviest drinkers among us, who are most at risk
of alcohol-related illnesses and death, and our young people, who generally have the least disposable income.
Minimum pricing will not affect the price of alcohol in pubs or restaurants or the majority of alcohol products sold in
the off-trade.
Minimum pricing is able to target cheaper alcohol relative to its strength because the minimum price is determined
by, and is directly proportionate to, the amount of pure alcohol in a drink.
Why do we need minimum pricing?
Tackling alcohol pricing is one of the most effective ways of reducing alcohol-related harm and consequently the
financial burdens these harms place on the State.
The price of alcohol is directly linked to how much people drink across the population and to levels of alcohol-related
harms and costs in a country. Pricing impacts on general consumption and lower consumption levels lead to reduced
harms and costs.
1
Alcohol Action Ireland Pre-Budget Submission 2014
3. There is compelling international evidence that pricing is one of the most effective ways to tackle alcohol-related
harm. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has made it clear that there is “indisputable evidence that the price of
alcohol matters. If the price of alcohol goes up, alcohol-related harm goes down”.iv
While the pub continues to play a central role in social life in Ireland, recent years have seen a dramatic shift from
alcohol sales in pubs towards sales in the off-trade sector. Between 1998 and 2010 there was a 161% increase in the
number of full off-licences, while pub licences decreased by 19% over the same period.v
This trend has continued in recent years, with the off-trade now accounting for almost 60% of the alcohol sold in
Ireland.vi Though people are increasingly buying their alcohol at much cheaper prices from the off-trade, particularly
supermarkets, than from the on-trade our spend on alcohol continues to increase, reaching €6.36 billion last year.
While alcohol consumption fell in Ireland for two years from 2007 to 2009, since then it has climbed marginally
upwards again. With our current annual alcohol intake of 11.7 litres of pure alcohol per person (2012) we are still
drinking at very high levels and experiencing unacceptably high levels of alcohol-related harm, a situation that is
exacerbated by our unhealthy drinking patterns, particularly the prevalence of binge drinking.vii
The figure of 11.7 litres is 27% above the alcohol consumption target of 9.2 litres per capita (the level we would
reach if we all drank to our maximum low-risk weekly limits) set out by the Department of Health (2013) in the
‘Healthy Ireland’ framework.
It should be noted that it’s estimated that over a fifth of Irish people abstain from alcoholviii, so when this is taken
into account, those who are drinking are drinking more than the consumption figures indicate.
While there has been a recent decrease in our alcohol consumption, average alcohol consumption in 2010 was
145% higher than the average amount consumed in 1960, while alcohol consumption in Ireland increased by 46%
between 1987 (9.8 litres) and 2001 (14.3 litres) when our consumption reached a record high.
Alcohol-Related Harm in Ireland
88 deaths every month in Ireland are directly attributable to alcohol
Alcoholic liver disease deaths almost trebled (188% increase) between 1995 and 2009
Alcohol-related admissions to acute hospitals doubled between 1995 and 2008, with a dramatic increase in the number of
young people hospitalised for liver disease and dying from alcohol-related conditions
Alcohol increases the risk of developing more than 60 diseases and medical conditions, even at low levels of consumption
Every night, 2,000 hospital beds are occupied for alcohol-related reasons
An estimated 700 Irish babies a year are being born with some form of mental or physical harm linked to their mothers’
drinking while pregnant
Almost half of the perpetrators of homicide were intoxicated when the crime was committed
Alcohol has been identified as a contributory factor in 97% of public order offenses as recorded under the Garda PULSE system.
One in eleven children in Ireland say parental alcohol use has a negative effect on their lives
The projected number of new cases of alcohol-related cancers in the Republic of Ireland is expected to double by the year
2020 for women and to increase by 81% for men during the same period
In the most recent survey of drinking among European 15 and 16-year-olds 40% of Irish children reported binge drinking in
the last month
A recent study of suicide in Ireland found that half of those who took their own lives had abused alcohol in the previous 12 months
The World Health Organisation has estimated that the risk of suicide when a person is currently abusing alcohol is eight
times greater than if they were not abusing alcohol
Who supports minimum pricing?
There is broad-based support for the introduction of minimum pricing in Ireland.
Alcohol Action Ireland has convened a coalition of over 30 NGOs, charities, medical representative organisations
and others, who deal with the fall-out of our harmful relationship with alcohol on a daily basis. Coalition members
include Barnardos, the Irish Cancer Society, Irish Heart Foundation, Irish Medical Organisation, ISPCC, the Royal
College of Physicians of Ireland, Samaritans, St Vincent de Paul and Women’s Aid.
2
Alcohol Action Ireland Pre-Budget Submission 2014
4. There is also significant support for minimum pricing from within the alcohol industry, with both the Vintners
Federation of Ireland and the National Off-Licence Association having expressed their support for the measure and
called on the Government to implement it as a matter of urgency.ix x
Minimum pricing would help level the playing field with the large multiples somewhat for these sectors and, in doing
so, help to protect jobs being lost due to the dominance of the large, multiple retailers, who are able to absorb the
costs of selling alcohol at pocket-money prices and who also generate far less tax revenue for the State than the
labour intensive on-trade sector.
The Health Research Board (HRB) commissioned a survey last year which revealed that almost 58% of respondents were
in favour of the establishment of a floor price below which alcohol could not be sold. 78% believed that the Government
has a responsibility to implement public health measures to address our high levels of alcohol consumption.xi
The influence of price on alcohol consumption was also highlighted in the HRB survey, which found that if the
price of alcohol was to decrease further, 24% said they would buy more alcohol. That figure increased to 50% for
respondents in the 18 to 24 age bracket. 45% agreed they buy more alcohol when it is on special offer or the price
is reduced, while that figure increased to 64% for respondents in the 18 to 24 age bracket.
Why do we need minimum pricing – isn’t Ireland already one of the most
expensive countries in the EU for alcohol?
Minimum pricing is about tackling the very cheapest alcohol. We have relatively high excise duty on alcohol, but it is
also relatively affordable, particularly, in the off-trade.
Alcohol in Ireland became 50% more affordable between 1996 and 2008.xii The abolition of the Restrictive Practices
(Groceries) Order in 2006 also allowed for a variety of goods to be sold below cost price, including alcohol.
Some of the off-trade alcohol is so cheap that a woman can reach her maximum low risk weekly drinking limit of 14
units for just €6.30, while a man can reach his maximum low-risk weekly limit of 21 units for less than €10. To put
that affordability into perspective, one hour worked on minimum wages is €8.65.
It is also worth remembering that people on low incomes suffer a range of health inequalities relating to nutrition,
education and access to healthcare that harmful alcohol use can make worse.
Why not excise duty?
Increasing excise duty can be – and has proven to be - an effective measure for reducing alcohol consumption, with the
excise duty increases in the 2013 Budget leading to a reduction in the consumption of wine, spirits and cider in the first
six months of this year, though sales of beer have increased, according to provisional figures provided by Revenue.
Volume Clearances of Alcohol
Jan - Jun 2013 as compared to Jan - Jun 2012
Beer
Up 2.5%
Spirits
Down -13.5%
Wine
Down -9%
Cider
Down -7.9%
These figures are provisional and are subject to revision throughout the year.
Even with excise duty increase, large multiple retailers can still sell deeply discounted alcohol, such as “slabs” of
cheap beer, as a draw to attract customers, absorbing the excise duty increases and off-setting it by increasing the
prices of other goods.
Even when excise duty is increased, once the retailer pays the tax owed to the Government, they are under no
obligation to pass this on to consumers, so alcohol could still be sold as a loss-leader. Minimum pricing sets a “floor
price” and cannot be undercut.
Whereas tax affects all alcohol products and outlets – and therefore all consumers - minimum pricing directly targets
the cheapest and strongest alcohol products, which are favoured by the most harmful drinkers and would only affect
the price of these products in the off-trade, primarily supermarkets, and would not affect the price of alcoholic
beverages in pubs, clubs or restaurants.
Those who drink moderately will be largely unaffected, by virtue of the fact that they drink very little and do not
tend to purchase the type of products that will be affected by minimum pricing. However, both excise duty and
minimum pricing can work in tandem to reduce alcohol consumption.
3
Alcohol Action Ireland Pre-Budget Submission 2014
5. Would banning below-cost selling of alcohol not have the same effect as
minimum pricing?
There is no agreed definition of below-cost selling in Ireland or how it could be calculated. If below-cost selling is
interpreted as alcohol being sold below VAT and excise duty then very little alcohol is sold at this price in Ireland. The
cheapest priced alcohol generally skims the top of combined VAT and excise duty.
Defining cost as just excise duty and VAT, means ignoring the manufacturing, transportation and retail costs
associated with the product. In other words, it is not a true reflection of the total costs. Working out a cost price of
alcohol, that incorporates all of these contributing costs, would be a complex and expensive exercise, making a ban
on below-cost selling of alcohol almost impossible to implement, monitor and enforce.
At what level should a minimum price be set?
A minimum price needs to be set at a level the evidence indicates will reduce the burden of harm from alcohol
use. To do this will require an analysis of the market, alcohol consumption and expenditure patterns, among other
information, such as health and crime data.
The cross-border health impact assessment currently being carried out as part of the process of developing a
legislative basis for minimum unit pricing is due to be completed in 2014. A minimum price will need to be reviewed
on a regular basis and adjusted when necessary to maintain its value in line with inflation.
The benefits of minimum pricing
Reduced alcohol consumption will lead to a reduced financial burden on the State as a result of alcohol-related harms
Those who drink within low-risk limits are least likely to be affected
There will be a reduction in the harms from alcohol, experienced by individuals, families, communities and at a
societal level
Pubs and independent and small off-licenses will be put on more of a level-playing field with larger, multiple retailers
Larger retailers will not be able to simply absorb price increases, as can happen with other pricing policies
It will not affect the price of drink in pubs, clubs and restaurants
It will not lead to job losses and, in fact, will help protect jobs in pubs and small and independent off-licences
Minimum pricing in practice – the Canadian experience
Canada is one of six countries that have already introduced minimum pricing. Emerging research findings on
the minimum pricing systems operating in two Canadian provinces provide the first empirical evidence of the
effectiveness of minimum pricing.
In Saskatchewan province in Canada a 10% increase in the minimum price was associated with an 8.4% decrease in
total alcohol consumption. In British Columbia a 10% increase in the minimum price was associated with a 32% fall
in wholly alcohol related deaths.xiii
Minimum Pricing and European Law
The Scottish Government introduced minimum pricing in May 2012. The bill was challenged by several alcohol
industry bodies, who claimed that minimum pricing breaches the UK’s European Union (EU) Treaty obligations
because it would restrict trade.
However, even if this were true, Article 36 of the EU Treaty makes it clear that public health measures such as
minimum pricing are legal, provided they are proportionate. Or, in other words, it does not preclude potential
restrictions “justified on grounds of … the protection of health and life of humans”.
In May 2013 the Court of Session, Scotland’s supreme civil court, ruled in favour of the legality of the Scottish
Government’s plans to introduce minimum pricing. This ruling has been appealed and the matter is expected to
come before the European courts shortly.
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Alcohol Action Ireland Pre-Budget Submission 2014
6. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LEVY
Why introduce a social responsibility levy on the alcohol industry?
The Steering Group Report on the National Substance Misuse Strategy recommends the introduction of a “social
responsibility” levy through which the alcohol industry would “contribute to the cost of social marketing and
awareness campaigns in relation to social and health harms caused by alcohol”.
It states that the levy “could also be used to contribute to the funding of sporting and other large public events that
help provide alternatives to a drinking culture for young people”.
The alcohol industry in Ireland is a very profitable one and even a very modest levy could go a long way towards
helping to address some of the many social and health harms we currently experience as a result of alcohol
consumption in Ireland.
The State spends an estimated €3.7 billion on alcohol-related harm every year, yet the alcohol industry currently
makes no direct contribution to addressing this considerable financial burden. xiv
Based on the latest alcohol consumption figures for Ireland, a levy of just one cent per Irish standard drink
(10 grammes of alcohol) would currently generate over €33 million, while the alcohol industry’s estimated total
annual spend on sports sponsorship in Ireland is around €20 million.
Therefore, even at just one cent per standard drink, a levy would be able to replace alcohol sponsorship funding
lost by the proposed ban on such sponsorship deals, another key recommendation contained in the Steering Group
Report on the National Substance Misuse Strategy.
Levy Calculations Table
Per Capita Consumption (Litres)
9.2
11.68
Standard drinks (10g) per litre
78.74
78.74
Population aged 15+
3,608,662
3,608,662
Annual standard drinks per capita
724.408
919.6832
Total number of standark drinks consumed annually
2,614,143,622
3,318,825,816
1 cent levy
€ 26,141,436.22
€ 33,188,258.16
2 cent levy
€ 52,282,872.44
€ 66,376,516.32
5 cent levy
€ 130,707,181.10
€ 165,941,291.79
The proposal to ban alcohol sponsorship of sports does not seek an immediate ban, but that the sponsorship deals
are phased out by 2020, which we feel is proportionate and leaves a lot of time to secure alternative sponsorship
from other sectors.
However, the Government may still choose to address any potential shortfall in sponsorship funding for these
organisations and a social responsibility levy would allow it to do so through the very profitable alcohol industry, but
without continuing to allow it the platform of sports to market its harmful and unhealthy products to the people of
Ireland, particularly the young people who are most at risk from them.
If we reached our “Healthy Ireland” framework alcohol consumption target of 9.2 litres per person, such a levy
would still generate over €26 million annually and, as well as funding sports and other healthy alternatives to
drinking alcohol, these funds could also be used for social marketing and awareness campaigns independent of the
alcohol industry.
CONCLUSION
Minimum pricing has the potential to significantly reduce alcohol-related harm in Ireland, resulting in a reduction of
the substantial costs incurred by the State and the number of lives lost due to alcohol in Ireland every year. It would
effectively target those drinkers choosing the cheapest and strongest alcohol products, who would benefit most
from a reduction in their consumption, while having little or no effect on low-risk drinkers .
In conjunction with minimum pricing, a very modest levy on the alcohol industry would make a significant
contribution to funding activities and initiatives that would help to reduce the social and health harms caused by its
products in Ireland.
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Alcohol Action Ireland Pre-Budget Submission 2014
7. References
Byrne S (2011). Costs to society of problem alcohol use in Ireland. Dublin: Health Service Executive.
i
Lyons S, Lynn E, Walsh S, Sutton M. and Long J. (2011). Alcohol-related deaths and deaths among people who
were alcohol dependent in Ireland, 2004 to 2008. Dublin: Health Research Board.
ii
Mongan D, McCormick P, O’Hara S, Smyth B, Long A (2011). Can Ireland’s increased rates of alcoholic liver disease
morbidity and mortality be explained by per capita alcohol consumption? Alcohol and Alcoholism 2011; 46:500.
iii
WHO Regional Office For Europe (2009). Evidence for the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of interventions to
reduce alcohol-related harm.
iv
Department of Health (2012). Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. Department of
Health and Children, Dublin.
v
vi
Foley A. (2013). Drinks Market Performance Report. Drinks Industry Group of Ireland.
TNS Opinion and Social (2010). EU Citizens’ attitudes to alcohol. Special Eurobarometer 331. Brussels: European
Commission.
vii
viii
Ibid.
Vintners Federation of Ireland. VFI angry at Government inaction over alcohol legislation http://www.vfi.ie/News/vfi-
angry-at-government-inaction-over-alcohol-legislation-105 Accessed 23/07/13.
ix
National Off-Licence Association. NOffLA calls on government to regulate alcohol retail sector immediately
http://www.noffla.ie/NOffLA_calls_on_government_to_regulate_alcohol_retail_sector_immediately/Default.392.
html Accessed 23/07/13.
x
xi
Ipsos MRBI (2012). Alcohol: Public knowledge attitudes and behaviour. Health Research Board.
Rabinovich L, Brutscher P, de Vries H, Tiessen J, Clift J and Reding A (2009) The affordability of alcoholic beverages
in the European Union. Understanding the link between alcohol affordability, consumption and harms Cambridge,
UK: RAND Europe.
xii
Strockwell T. and Thomas G. (2013). Is alcohol too cheap in the UK? The case for setting a Minimum Unit Price for
alcohol. Institute of Alcohol Studies.
xiii
xiv
6
Byrne S (2011). Costs to society of problem alcohol use in Ireland. Dublin: Health Service Executive.
Alcohol Action Ireland Pre-Budget Submission 2014