Sections 15 and 16 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 have come into force with effect from today.

Section 15 restricts alcohol advertising during certain events. Under section 15, alcohol advertising in or on a sports area during a sports event is prohibited. In addition, alcohol advertising at an event which is aimed particularly at children or at which the majority of participants or competitors are children is also prohibited.

Section 16 prohibits the sponsorship of certain events where that sponsorship has the aim or effect of promoting an alcohol product or alcohol brand or the consumption of alcohol. Sponsorship of events aimed at children, events at which the majority of participants or competitors are children and events that involve driving or racing motor vehicles is prohibited.

Health minister Stephen Donnelly said: “The sections of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act that come into operation this week are focussed on alcohol marketing. The restrictions on alcohol advertising and sponsorship in relation to certain events are designed to protect our children from exposure to alcohol marketing as part of their everyday lives. They will also limit the association of alcohol consumption with sporting activities and motoring events.”

Frank Feighan, minister of state with responsibility for public health, wellbeing and national drugs strategy, added: “The evidence from research consistently shows that exposure to alcohol advertising is associated with an increased likelihood that children will start to drink alcohol or will drink greater quantities if they already do.

“Alcohol consumption can have serious consequences for our young people and particularly for their development so I welcome the contribution that these measures will make to ensuring that our children can have the best possible start in life.”