The pandemic has led to ‘oceans of alcohol’ being consumed at home, despite a slight reduction in overall alcohol sales due to the closure of pubs, restaurants and night clubs, according to Alcohol Action Ireland. The independent body which advocates for reducing harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption, said provisional alcohol sales receipts from the Revenue Commissioners for 2020 reveal that we consumed just over 10 litres of alcohol per capita in 2020, a slight decrease of 6pc over the previous year when per capita consumption was 10.78 litres. But the net alcohol excise receipts show just a 2.4pc decrease in consumption, “demonstrating that the public finances have experienced little impact because of the pandemic experience,” according to Alcohol Action. And while there are less cases of drink driving and accidents – like falling down on the way home from the pub – “there’s a lot more trouble at home” as a result of excessive alcohol consumption and habitual drinking at home. "Most people who die from alcohol are habitual drinkers, who drink half a bottle of wine a night during the week and a bottle at weekends,” he said.

Source: Irish Independent March 11, 2021 19:41 UTC