The vast majority of Irish people consume alcohol moderately and responsibly. It is in our industry’s interest to ensure that remains the case and to help reduce alcohol misuse, whenever possible.
Per capita consumption levels in Ireland have fallen by a significant 31% since its peak rate in 2001. The consumption rate in 2023 stands at 9.9 litres per adult (LPA). Alcohol consumption levels in Ireland are behind the UK, Spain, France and Germany. In fact, Irish consumption levels are less than 14 other EU member states (OECD 2023).
In Ireland the number of non-drinks in the adult population has increased from 25% in 2018 to 30% in 2023 (Healthy Ireland Report 2023).
Informing the public about the dangers of excessive drinking is a key part of the industry’s commitments to reducing alcohol related harm and risky drinking. Drinkaware the national charity working to prevent and reduce the misuse of alcohol and delay the age of first drink is a registered charity, regulated by the charities regulator and governed by an independent board of directors. Drinkaware is funded by a wide range of stakeholders, including but not limited to members of Drinks Ireland.
Drinkaware’s primary aims are to reduce risky drinking and shift cultural expectations, particularly regarding underage drinking, through evidence-based programmes, education and robust research which informs their public information campaigns. Drinkaware’s vision is an Ireland where alcohol is not misused with a focus on delaying the age of a person’s first drink and to reduce the numbers of adults that drink above the HSE’s low-risk weekly drinking guidelines.
The HSE defines binge drinking as drinking six or more standard drinks in one sitting. Common examples of one standard drink are a half pint of lager/stout/cider, a 100ml glass of wine or pub measure (35ml) of spirits. On average, it takes one hour for the body to process one standard drink.
There has been a marginal increase in the rate of binge drinking in Ireland. The 2024 Healthy Ireland Survey, a report commissioned by the Department of Health, showed that 28% of drinkers binge drink on a typical drinking occasion. This is an increase from 24% measured in 2023 and shows a return to the level measured in 2018.
Underage drinking in Ireland has fallen in recent years. Latest figures from the Health Research Board show there has been a decline in the share of young people who drink: in 2002, 17.7% of 15–24-year-olds were non-drinkers compared with 28.2% in 2019.
There has also been a delay in the initiation of alcohol use among children observed during this period, from 15.6 years of age to 16.6 years.
While this is a positive trend among young people, the issue persists, with 64% of young people drinking in a hazardous manner and 46% reported heavy episodic drinking on a typical drinking occasion.
Drinks Ireland has been consistent in its opposition to drink-driving. The drinks industry has always supported Road Safety Authority campaigns to tackle drink driving and welcomed the Government’s 2018 Road Traffic Amendment Bill from the Government which will ensure that those convicted of drink-driving will automatically be disqualified from driving.
The drinks industry fully supports the Blood Alcohol Content limits of 50 milligrams (mg) for all drivers and 20 milligrams (mg) for learner, newly qualified drivers (for a period of two years after passing the driving test). In addition, Drinks Ireland fully support the existing practice of random breath testing on Irish roads.
While there has been a welcome cultural shift in recent decades in people’s attitude towards drink driving, the issue persists. According to the PULSE data available from the CSO, there were 5,527 recorded incidents of drink-driving in 2022, a 31.3% decrease since 2012.
Drinks Ireland has always supported evidence-based solutions into tackling alcohol misuse. To be effective, alcohol policies must strike a balance and serve the interests of individuals and society alike. Consumer interests and producer interests must be aligned. By implementing a better policy, it is possible to achieve the need for a thriving economy and maintain a safe environment.