Ireland sets floor price for alcohol to reduce consumption

The Irish government sets a floor price on alcohol in an attempt to reduce consumption (Illustrative image).

© MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The Irish government validates this Tuesday, May 4 a bill to set a floor price per unit of alcohol.

The project has been patient for several years and its objective is to make alcohol less available and in particular to avoid

binge drinking

sessions

, this practice which consists in drinking a lot in a short time.

Consumption during the pandemic worries.

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With our correspondent in Dublin,

Émeline Vin

At least € 8 for a bottle of Chardonnay, 20 for vodka… The floor price per unit of alcohol will lower consumption, explains Dr Deirdre Mongan, author of a report on the subject for the Irish Committee of health research: “

 The floor price especially increases the price of inexpensive alcohol, in supermarkets for example.

However, our research shows us that it is mainly heavy drinkers who buy cheap alcohol.

In those Canadian states where it is applied, the rate of alcohol-related death and hospitalization has decreased.

 "

In 2020, consumption as high as a normal year

The Irish are heavy drinkers.

They drank almost as much in 2020 as before the pandemic, despite the closure of pubs, cafes and restaurants, worryingly: “ 

Irish consumption may seem to be approaching European consumption, but it is above all the way we drink: the Irish are very fond of 'binge drinking'

, specifies the doctor.

And then, we have a very high rate, 25%, of adults who do not drink at all: therefore those who drink really drink a lot.

"

The floor price is to come into effect by the end of the year.

It could boost consumption in border Northern Ireland, which has not adopted a similar measure.

►Also read: In Ireland, a virtual St. Patrick's Day, for lack of better

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  • Ireland

  • consumption

  • Food