Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
171. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health her views on the merits of amending the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 to remove the loophole that allows alcohol companies to advertise 0.0% versions of their products on TV, radio and at sporting events; if her Department has carried out any research into this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51128/25]
View answerThe Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 regulates alcohol products in order to reduce the health harms associated with their consumption. Non-alcohol products do not cause those health harms.
Non-alcohol products and the significant promotion of those products are relatively recent developments and as yet there is insufficient evidence to determine whether they may have a negative public health impact or a positive one, by encouraging consumers to substitute non-alcoholic products for those containing alcohol. As such the overall public health impact is as yet unclear.
My Department continues to monitor the emerging evidence and it is expected that a current review of the existing research will be concluded by the end of quarter 2 of 2026.
