26% of Irish people binge drinking with home drinking on the rise
Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Health, Senator Colm Burke, welcomed the publication of the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee’s Report on the Misuse of Alcohol and other Drugs.
“An EU study published in 2010 identified that in Ireland 26% of people were found to binge drink; that is to have five or more drinks in a single sitting. Nineteen per cent were found to consume between five and six drinks in a single sitting and 5% between seven and nine drinks. This compares with an EU 27 average of 10% of drinkers who typically binge drink when they consume alcohol.
“I welcome the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee Report which addresses key problem areas associated with alcohol consumption in Ireland such as the prevalence of drug use, treatment, hazardous and binge drinking, the economic costs associated with alcohol misuse and the marketing and pricing of alcohol.
“During the compilation of the report, I made a submission stating that one of the big changes that has occurred in Ireland over the last five years is the move away from drinking outside the home to drinking in the home. This has been caused by the growth of the off-licence industry and the availability of alcohol for purchase in local supermarkets and garages.
“While we have made an impact on the drink driving problem, in so doing, we have created another problem.
“This report aims to bring about a change in attitudes towards the misuse of alcohol by illustrating the huge personal and economic costs caused by hazardous drinking. A menu of measures is required to change our attitudes and behaviour towards the consumption of alcohol in Ireland.
“The World Health Organisation has defined binge drinking as having five drinks or more on at least one occasion. An EU study published in 2010 looked at attitudes towards alcohol across EU countries and found that Irish people drink less frequently than the EU average; that is when looking at drinking habits daily. It found however that Irish people are more likely to drink 2-3 times a week, once a week or 2-3 times a month.”
