Alcohol

Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and addictive substance, known to cause cancer.

Why is alcohol a public health issue?

Alcohol use contributes to 3 million deaths across the world each year. Alcohol use is a contributory factor in physical and mental health problems, premature death and disability, as well as domestic violence, crime and road traffic accidents. In a statement in The Lancet journal, the World Health Organization noted that “no safe amount of alcohol consumption for cancers and health can be established".

In Ireland, there were 1,094 alcohol-related deaths in 2017, representing 4% of all deaths. In Northern Ireland, 350 alcohol-specific deaths were registered in 2021, accounting for 2% of all deaths registered. IPH has developed an all-island alcohol data repository sgnposting to sources of information on alcohol use, retail and harms in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Addressing the harms associated with alcohol use through evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies can help to minimise its negative impact on public health and reduce health inequality.

WHO Resource for Journalists - Reporting about alcohol: a guide for journalists

Support Services

If you, or someone you know, is affected by alcohol, the following supports and services are available:

Ireland: Health Service Executive Alcohol Services and Drug and Alcohol Information Support
Northern Ireland: Drugs and Alcohol NI

Key Facts: Alcohol

Heavy episodic drinking or ‘binge drinking’ (Consuming 6+ units in one sitting)

Ireland: 40% of drinkers engaged in heavy episodic drinking at least once per month (2019/20)

Northern Ireland: 22% of adults reported heavy episodic drinking in the previous week (2019/20)

Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

In Ireland, the following policies, strategies and legislation are in place to address alcohol-related harms.

Reducing Harm, Support Recovery, A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland (2017-2025)

Public Health (Alcohol) Act - includes measures such as minimum unit pricing for alcohol and restrictions on the marketing and advertising of alcohol

Northern Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

In Northern Ireland, the following policies, strategies and legislation are in place to address alcohol-related harms.

Making Life Better. A Whole System Framework for Public Health (2013-2023)

Preventing Harm, Empowering Recovery A Strategic Framework to Tackle the Harm from Substance Use (2021-31)

Recent work on alcohol

IPH chairs a North South Alcohol Policy Advisory Group on behalf of the Chief Medical Officers of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which provides a forum for discussion on policy developments on the island of Ireland. The group periodically provides briefings to the North South Ministerial Council and facilitates webinars, briefings, knowledge exchanges, as well as opportunities for engagement with alcohol policy matters in Scotland, England and Wales.

The Institute is also represented on an oversight group for the Northern Ireland drug and alcohol strategy and the subgroup developing indicators linked to the strategy.

A recent example of our work includes responding to a consultation on the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 and giving evidence on this legislation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice.