A range of alcohol promotions will be banned here by January 2021 under new regulations aimed at reducing binge drinking. Short-term promotional drinks offers, and the sale of alcohol at a reduced price, or free with the purchase of another product or service, will be prohibited under the proposed regulations. The regulations also see a clampdown on the awarding of loyalty card points on the purchase of alcohol, or the use of loyalty card points to purchase alcohol. By restricting access to alcohol products through promotions or loyalty card programmes, the regulations align with the objectives of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, which are to reduce alcohol consumption and reduce the harms caused by the misuse of alcohol. The proposed regulations under section 23 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act were submitted for EU assessment in September under the Technical Standards Directive.

Source: Irish Examiner December 30, 2019 05:37 UTC