Alcohol

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)

Alcohol

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.

Latest Alcohol Resources

Alcohol

Young man at window wearing mask

Factors associated with changes in consumption among smokers and alcohol drinkers during the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ period

Journal Articles

11 Apr, 2021 - The impact of the COVID-19 public health social measures (PHSM) on health behaviours is poorly understood. We aimed to identify…

Alcohol COVID-19 Tobacco

Alcohol

Evidence Review: IPH response to an Inquiry into the Effects of Alcohol on Society by the UK Commission on Alcohol Harm

Consultation Responses Policy Briefs

30 May, 2020 - In March 2020, IPH Director of Policy, Dr Helen McAvoy, gave evidence, alongside the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, to the UK Commission on Alcohol Harm as part of an inquiry into…

Pregnant lady and young child

The interaction between maternal smoking, illicit drug use and alcohol consumption associated with neonatal outcomes

Journal Articles

14 Feb, 2019 - The adverse effects of smoking on neonatal outcomes, such as small-for-gestational-age (SGA), has been extensively studied however,…

Alcohol Tobacco Womens Health

Brain in puzzle pieces

Stroke Briefing

12 Sep, 2012 - Stroke is responsible for a substantial number of early deaths, much reduced quality of life and disability, and significant costs to…

Alcohol Chronic Conditions Physical Activity

Wealth/ Health letter blocks

Your Health is Your Wealth – Public Health Policy Framework 2012-2020

1 Jan, 2012 - What would you like the public health policy to achieve? To set out strategic actions which will contribute to tangible improvements in…

Alcohol Chronic Conditions Health Inequalities Health Promotion Social Determinants of Health Tobacco