Campaign and medical groups have welcomed the Government's new measures aimed at tackling alcohol misuse, but have claimed they do not go far enough.

The IMO welcomed the plannnd minimum price for alcohol, but was critical the decision of the Government not to proceed with a ban on alcohol sponsorship of sport or with a complete ban on alcohol advertising.

"We believe that the decision not to ban alcohol sponsorship in sport is a missed opportunity," it said.

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland said the measures indicated a commitment from the Government to protect and prioritise public health by addressing the issue of alcohol misuse, 'which is responsible for multiple health harms in our society'.

Alcohol Action Ireland welcomed the Government’s alcohol misuse measures.

"Alcohol misuse is a complex and multi-faceted problem and there is no one single solution to it. The measures announced today are broad ranging, but they are also workable and achievable, and should work to reinforce each other as part of a comprehensive approach to tackling our harmful relationship with alcohol."

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) welcomed the measures, but expressed disappointment that action on drinks industry sponsorship of sport had been referred to yet another working group and no action was being taken.

"NYCI participated in the previous working group on sports sponsorship that reported in 2010 and it is unlikely that the new group will discover anything which the previous groups and reports on this didn't."

Tough new alcohol misuse measures