Ireland maintains its global reputation as a pub hub, ranking third globally for pubs per capita, trailing behind Slovakia and Hungary.
Despite an overall decline in pub numbers, offset by a rise in licences, this trend reveals shifting consumer preferences in alcohol consumption, as highlighted in the Health Research Board (HRB) analysis.
According to the latest HRB report, a significant three out of four people in Ireland reside within walking distance of licensed premises, reflecting the widespread availability and accessibility of alcohol-related establishments across the country.
The comprehensive study delves deeper, revealing that although there’s been an overall decrease in alcohol consumption per capita, Ireland still surpasses the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average with an annual consumption of 9.9 litres of pure alcohol per person, indicating ongoing high alcohol usage within the population.
To put this into perspective, the HRB report equates this level of consumption to 37 bottles of vodka (70cl), 104 bottles of wine, or 400 pints of beer per person annually, underlining the significant role alcohol plays in Irish social culture and lifestyle.
Surprisingly, nearly one in three individuals aged over 15 in Ireland abstains from alcohol entirely, representing a noteworthy 5% increase in non-drinkers over the past four years. This shift signals evolving attitudes towards alcohol consumption and healthier lifestyle choices among a segment of the population.
Despite this positive trend towards reduced consumption and increased abstinence, the HRB report reveals concerning statistics regarding alcohol-related harm and its impact on public health services in Ireland.
Alcohol-related illnesses rank as the 8th leading cause of death in Ireland, with one alcohol-related liver disease fatality recorded daily.
Additionally, one in five emergency department admissions stems from alcohol-related incidents, highlighting the strain on healthcare resources due to harmful drinking patterns.
Anne Doyle, the lead author of the report, underscores the correlation between alcohol density in deprived communities and heightened alcohol-related harms despite potentially lower overall consumption in these areas, pointing to social and economic factors influencing drinking behaviours.
Dr Mairéad O’Driscoll, HRB Chief Executive, acknowledges positive trends such as increased abstention rates and declining per capita consumption.
However, she emphasises the persistent issue of harmful drinking practices leading to hospitalisations, deaths, and widespread treatment for alcohol-related problems.
Despite alcohol price increases in line with inflation, Ireland still ranks 8th among 30 countries in terms of the proportion of household income spent on alcohol, reflecting ongoing societal challenges in managing alcohol consumption patterns and associated impacts.
Overall, the HRB report presents a nuanced picture of Ireland’s relationship with alcohol, highlighting progress in certain areas while underscoring the ongoing need for targeted interventions to address harmful drinking behaviours and their societal consequences.
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