The Government has announced a series of measures aimed at dealing with alcohol abuse.

A key measure will be the drafting of legislation to provide for minimum unit pricing for the sale of alcohol, with a minimum price per gram of alcohol.

The legislation will target alcohol price relative to strength - particularly low cost products in the off-trade, especially supermarkets, according to the Department of health.

Other measures include:

* Curbs on marketing and advertising of alcohol, with a limit on advertising on TV and radio to evening hours from 2016; an advertising limit in cinemas to over 18 films; restrictions on outdoor advertising from 2018; the regulation of alcohol ads in print media, and curbs on 'glamourising' alcohol in advertisements.

* Environmental health officers will be given extra powers to police breaches of regulations on the supply and consumption of drink including the separation of alcohol products from other products in shops, which will be enforced by new regulations.

* Health warnings on the adverse effects of alcohol will be included on containers.

* The existing voluntary code governing sports sponsorship will be placed on a statutory footing. A working group is to report within 12 months on the feasibility and implications of regulating sponsorship by alcohol companies of major sporting events, and will consider financial implications and alternative sources of funding for sporting organisations to replace potential lost revenue arising from any new restrictions.

In addition, public health information relating to alcohol will be based on grams of alcohol, with the weekly low-risk drinking guidelines being 168 grams (17 standard drinks) and 112 grams (11 standard drinks) for men and women respectively.

Minister of State at the Department of Health Alex White said this was the first time alcohol misuse had been addressed as a public health issue with the first ever piece of public health legislation to tackle alcohol abuse.

"The Government has recognised the severe consequences of the misuse of alcohol and has determined to take action to address this problem."

Health Minister James Reilly said alcohol misuse in Ireland was a serious problem, with two thousand of our hospital beds occupied each night by people with alcohol related illness or injury.

"This impacts on families and individuals at every level of society. It's deeply worrying too that young people are starting to drink earlier and to drink more."

"The Government is committed to tackling these problems and this week's decision marks a significant further step in that direction to create an environment where responsible consumption of alcohol is the norm," Dr Reilly added.

Statistics show that in 2011, the average per-capita pure alcohol consumption for everyone over the age of 15 in Ireland was 11.63 litres; this roughly equates to a bottle of vodka per week per person over the age of 15, according to the Department of Health.

The measures have been largely welcomed by campaign groups; however, there has been criticism that the Government has 'kicked to touch' on the issue of sports sponsorship of alcohol by setting up a working group.

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