Enforcement needed to prevent sale of alcohol to young people: Anderson

Stringent enforcement legislation is needed to help prevent the sale of alcohol to young people, MEP Martina Anderson has said.

Speaking from Brussels, the Sinn Fein representative said the prevention and the stringent enforcement of legislation to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors were an “absolute priority” at a time when drinking habits and patterns were causing serious harm.

She added: "Alcohol-related harm is the third highest cause of preventable premature death and disease in Europe.

"Excessive drinking is an extremely serious public health issue, which takes a heavy human toll on individuals, families and the community at large.

"We had an alcohol strategy in place from 2006 until 2012. This focused on preventing the negative impacts of alcohol on the unborn, young people, as well as on the workplace and road safety.

"Unfortunately, industry lobbying prevented the mandatory labelling of the calorie count in alcoholic drinks but we want the Commission to revisit the issue.

"The Commission had a mandate to report on this requirement, which was due last December, and we are still waiting for it.”