The Department of Health has confirmed that alcohol advertisements on television and radio will be banned before 9 pm starting January 2025.
On World Children’s Day, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, signed the commencement order of restrictions that will introduce the alcohol broadcast ban, reports Independent.
A broadcast watershed for alcohol ads on television will be in place before 9pm, while the watershed on the radio will apply from midnight to 10am and then from 3pm to midnight. These changes will take effect from January 10, 2025.
This measure will help reduce children’s exposure to alcohol promotion, which is known to be a key driver in initiating alcohol use and increasing its use, reports Independent.
At least 50,000 children start to drink every year in Ireland, and claims suggest that Diageo is currently the fourth biggest advertiser to children in Ireland.
CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), Dr Sheila Gilheany said: “AAI, along with the members of the Alcohol Health Alliance Ireland, have strongly campaigned over many years to have this common-sense measure introduced which has widespread public support,” reports Independent.
“It is particularly significant to welcome this development on World Children’s Day as this is very much a children’s rights issue. While we are very pleased to see this commencement order, it is disappointing that it will be over a year before it comes into effect – more than six years since the legislation was passed by the Oireachtas,” she added, reports Independent.
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