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Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD has today opened the Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2020 in Dublin Castle. 

Speaking at the conference, the Minister said: "Ireland has been chosen as the place where delegates will meet and share their knowledge and experience on ways to address and reduce the harms of alcohol. 

The way we consume alcohol in Ireland damages our health, our society and our economy. If we can reduce our alcohol consumption and delay the age at which our children start to drink, we will save lives and prevent the many serious illnesses that are caused by the misuse of alcohol. 

The same harms from alcohol that exist in Ireland are replicated in countries throughout the world which is why it is important that we learn from each other and work together at regional and international levels to address this global problem. 

It is my hope that this conference will be the place where alliances will be strengthened and energies will be renewed to take on this important task.

The Global Alcohol Policy Conference, which is is held every two years, will be attended by 300 people. The theme of this year’s conference is Alcohol Equity and Global Health: the benefit of alcohol control for sustainable development for all. 

During the conference, the HSE Alcohol Programme will present their askaboutalcohol.ie campaign and website which was developed in support of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. 

Marion Rackard, Project Manager of the HSE Alcohol Programme explained:

The campaign aim is to stimulate new conversations about alcohol and to support behaviour change by providing trusted information on alcohol from health professionals including: A to Z information on alcohol and related harms, a drinks calculator, a self-assessment tool, a service finder and a helpline.