Following a year of lockdown and pub closures, the publication of our latest Alcohol Overview really captured the zeitgeist, kicking off a national conversation about our drinking habits, the impact of alcohol-related harms, and what we can do to reduce harmful alcohol consumption.

Alcohol affects so many of our lives, which was a huge factor in the strong reaction to our report. A poignant piece in the Examiner by Dr Orla Crosbie, a liver specialist at Cork University Hospital, gave insight into the harsh reality of treating alcoholic liver disease by sharing the story of ‘Miriam’, a mum of two young children who died from the condition after years of problem alcohol use.

While personal stories like this really bring home the reality of the situation, the question remains: what can we do about our high levels of alcohol consumption?

The importance of MUP

While there is no single solution, one consistent message is the importance of introducing MUP, an action in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (which is in line with the World Health Organization’s recommended population health approach to alcohol), to support the other interventions already in place (e.g. structural separation of alcohol from other products in shops and a ban on alcohol promotions).

MUP is the lowest price at which a standard drink or gram of alcohol can be sold, and has been shown to reduce alcohol consumption among the heaviest drinkers who are most likely to experience greater alcohol-related harms.

For over ten years, the HRB has provided research to inform the components of the Act, and the persistence and dedication of those working to raise the profile of alcohol-related harms is beginning to pay off. Perhaps the most recent significant outcome on foot of our evidence arose on 4 May, when the Government announced that MUP will be introduced in January 2022. The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, specifically referred to our Alcohol Overview in the related press conference.

Evidence to inform policy and improve lives

While our report certainly appeared to trigger this announcement, it was in fact a result of a large body of evidence, gathered after many years of research by the HRB and others. It also reflects the commitment of many researchers and public health activists to ensure evidence is front and centre of media discussion and Government policy-making.

HRB staff play an important role in providing evidence on alcohol use in Ireland to the Department of Health. From collating data on consumption to analysing data on health and social harms, our continuous analysis monitors how changes in policy impact people’s drinking habits, thus informing future change where necessary.

Change can happen, but it is rarely overnight. It takes years of hard work, dedication, and commitment, and our efforts in this area certainly won’t stop with the implementation of MUP. Work continues in order to implement the remaining measures of the Act, and I am proud to be part of a team that provides reliable evidence for Government to formulate sound, grounded policies that positively impact peoples’ lives.

Hear more on this from blog author Anne Doyle, as well as her fellow HRB Research Officer Dr Deirdre Mongan, in Alcohol Ireland’s podcast series, The Alcohol File

Read our Alcohol Overview in full

Learn more about the important work of the HRB Evidence Centre

Note: The HRB’s role is to present factual information on the harmful effects of alcohol on our society and evidence-based interventions to address these effects, allowing the Government collectively to make public health interventions based on evidence.