A new study has concluded that more than one in five parents of school-going children are drinking alcohol multiple times a week.
In this year’s Healthy Ireland survey, which was ordered by the Department of Health, the data showcased that the number of adults consuming alcohol in Ireland over the past year has lowered to 70%.
However, despite these promising signs, the charity Alcohol Action Ireland later went on to point out that some of the survey’s additional statistics report a worrying trend.
In particular, AAI noted that the report states that more than one in five parents (21%) of children under the age of 18 are drinking “multiple times a week”.
Furthermore, a quarter of Ireland’s population (25%) admitted that they have become so-called ‘binge drinkers’, meaning that they would consume six or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting. However, despite this statistic being worryingly high, it also highlighted a slight decrease from 27% in 2018’s report.
The survey later detailed the continuing rise in smoking amongst the public. While the report found that 18% of the population regularly smoke cigarettes, the increasing popularity of vapes was also well-documented.
“While e-cigarettes can be a valuable quitting aid for smokers, usage rates have risen from 6% last year and are highest amongst 15- to 24-year- olds – used by 20% of women and 16% of men in this age group,” the study declared.
Following these new revelations, Chief Medical Officer Breda Smyth explained: “We have seen some encouraging trends in the 2023 survey, indicating some improvements in population health and in some key lifestyle risk factors such as alcohol consumption.
“These figures reaffirm the need for robust initiatives that support us all to live happier, healthier lives,” she added.
