Ireland has been selected to host the next Global Alcohol Policy Conference happening in 2020. The government released a press release, informing this news and the theme for the conference: ‘Alcohol Equity and Global Health: the benefit of alcohol control for sustainable development for all’…

Ireland to Host Global Alcohol Policy Conference in 2020

Ireland has been selected to host the next Global Alcohol Policy Conference happening in 2020. The government released a press release, informing this news and the theme for the conference: ‘Alcohol Equity and Global Health: the benefit of alcohol control for sustainable development for all.’

The 6th Global Alcohol Policy Conference, organized by the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance in collaboration with local partners, will be held in Dublin in 2020 and bring together policy makers, researchers and advocates, civil society representatives and practitioners to share knowledge on alcohol issues.

The conference will provide an excellent opportunity to reinforce the public health message about alcohol and to share best practice from across the world on addressing this important issue, ” said Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD.

Since the enactment of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill Ireland has been making advances to curb the alcohol harm within the country. Minister Harris stresses the importance of the conference for Ireland to learn and make further progress in this field.

Alcohol Policy in Ireland

© WHO Global Alcohol Status Report 2018

The per capita alcohol consumption is high in Ireland comparative to the WHO European region and alcohol use is significantly high for males. The resulting negative health consequences for Irish men include both increased alcohol use disorder and alcohol dependence when compared with the WHO average for the region.

The new legislation proposed for alcohol control will benefit the public if implemented effectively.

Under our new legislation, we will bring in measures this year to reduce the visibility of alcohol, particularly around children.

The theme of next year’s conference complements the vision of our national ‘Healthy Ireland Framework’; to create a society where everyone can enjoy good physical and mental health and wellbeing,” said Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne TD.

IOGT has been supporting Irish (local) alcohol control efforts

Beyond IOGT International’s support for the formulation, adoption and subsequent implementation of the Irish Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, IOGT International has partnered with the Alcohol Forum and local alcohol action groups to support evidence-based action for social change.

IOGT International joined the ground-breaking conference of island-wide community-based groups for local alcohol policy change, and helped launch the WHO SAFER initiative in communities in Ireland.

IOGT International and the Alcohol Forum partner to build and strengthen the capacity of local activists to inspire them in their critical work to make alcohol policy implementation the priority it should be.

In 2018, IOGT International supported the Alcohol Forum in their ground-breaking Ireland-first conference about alcohol as obstacle to development, that brought together the public health and development communities, social justice activists with local campaigners for alcohol control to discuss ways to address alcohol as hinder to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

IOGT International shared our expertise from around the world in addressing alcohol as major obstacle to the SDGs and exposed the unethical business practices of the alcohol industry, like Diageo.

These topics will now be addressed again and taken further at the upcoming Global Alcohol Policy Conference in 2020.

Source Website: Department of Health Ireland