Call for a ban on vodka in a bag a new alcoholic product being launched on the Irish market.
This new little drink, 30 mils of vodka in a sachet.
Concerned parent, Toni Murphy from Clarenbridge in County Galway, says that there is already a serious problem with youth drinking in Ireland. Toni is very concerned for her 15 year old daughter's welfare pointing out that drinks can be easily spiked with the sachet and the sachet can be easily concealed and brought into youth discos.
This, in the wrong hands, can be quite lethal.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell TD has been asked to ban the vodka in a bag drink. The 37.5% volume drink is due to go on sale at a price of €1.50 a shot. Galway based Progressive Democrats TD Noel Grealish says that the drink is specifically earmarked for young people and describes it as a lethal, highly concealable concoction which will create more teenage drinking problems.
I firmly believe that this should be banned and banned immediately.
Dr Joe Elias, Managing Director at The Little Drinks Company, rejects the idea that the vodka in a bag is about concealment and exploitation and says the product is designed for convenience.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 September 2004. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
