Call for ban on alcohol, tobacco sales in GAA

[pintsofguinness]

From RTE

Call for ban on alcohol, tobacco sales in GAA

25 November 2006 22:47

A new GAA manual for dealing with drug and alcohol related issues, which was launched today, suggests that a ban on the sale of cigarettes and alcohol in GAA clubhouses could help prevent drug and alochol abuse.

The manual's publication has been welcomed. But a senior public health specialist has said it is unfortunate that the organisation still accepts sponsorship from drink companies.

This manual is part of the GAA's response to calls that it should be taking steps to address increasing drug and alcohol abuse in society, especially among young people.

The document contains information on developing club drug and alcohol policies, on getting help with alcohol and drug problems and on the effect of different drugs.

It suggest that a ban on the sale of cigarettes and alcohol in GAA clubhouses, and the phasing out of alcohol ads on club jerseys and in grounds could help prevent drug and alochol abuse.

It will be circulated to county boards and clubs across the country, and will be followed a series of other education and awareness initiatives.

Its publication has been welcomed as a useful contribution.

But public health specialist Dr Joe Barry said it was unfortunate that although people in the grassroots in the GAA were seeking change, the organisation was still accepting sponsorships from drink companies.

Bullshit!

[pintsofguinness]

Oi! I put in an opinion at the end of my first post, just one word, where did it go? 

Edit! and now it's back? hmmm strange

[lawnseed 2]

hold on a minute people have been getting drunk long before the gaa was even founded, since when did the gaa become the social counsence of ireland. soccer clubs are much more drink related than gaa clubs. why is no one in soccer suggesting this ban?. dont tell me that they are much more in touch with reality than we are people wiil  get full if they want. i think in reality most clubs tend to steer away from pub sponsorship on jerseys etc but usually touch them up for a few quid if the team drink there theres no harm in it. one well known club near me has a very good bar but they also have an excellent gym. to the best of my knowledge the gym draws a huge crowds compared to the bar were those training can been seen afterwards drinking mineral water perhaps this is a viable alternative in the long term to social clubs

[lawnseed 2]

i have been told of pubs/soccer cubs who have managed to secure deals with drinks companies wherby when you purchase a particular beer your club gets 10p per pint in other words the more booze you drink the more money your club gets so in effect drinking is good for your team. maybe if the gaa county boards would take some of the fianacial burden of carrying top heavy county teams off the clubs and leave them with a few pound we could all work toward gyms etc and perhaps get more people away from the booze 

[pintsofguinness]

Never kickt a ball

Mind you there is a lot of resignation on this thread already that WE can't do much about it. It's all the governments fault or the pubs or someone elses. young lads will drink anyway etc.

Right, so what do we do about it?

[Flat Hedgehog]

This isn't something new FFS. Its been going for years and years. The GAA doesn't need to beat itself up over teenage drinking. I'd most of us on here had a drink before we were 18. The GAA offers a sporting and cultural option for young people but it can't force them all to take it up. Just because young fellas take a drink it doesn't mean they're all bad people. Most grow up to be normal members of society. People have been forecasting the end of civilization ever since the dawn of time because of the "younger generation". We need to get a sense of perspective.

[Bogball XV]

never kickt a ball,
would you not agree that the teenagers who play sports are the ones who are less likely to be drinking excessively, simply because they are playing sports? 

[pintsofguinness]

We could start by not calling ourselves after a drink and thinking about our actions.

[never kickt a ball]

never kickt a ball,
would you not agree that the teenagers who play sports are the ones who are less likely to be drinking excessively, simply because they are playing sports? 

Good point bogball. There is no doubt that the gaa helps young people to stay off drink especially when they are training or playing matches. Indeed my experience is that some buy into the athlete culture and watch themselves where alcohol is concerned. Although an awful lot of them aren't bright or able enough to avoid the dazzling lights of alcohol and when they look around them for guidance they see a glorification of drink in our culture. Then everyone around them shrugs their shoulders and blames the government, garda, pubs etc. Don't get me wrong I'm not against alcohol but I can't help reflecting on alcohol experts who state that young people who drink excessively are making themselves ill. 

[never kickt a ball]

We could start by not calling ourselves after a drink and thinking about our actions.

No harm pint but it looks to me like you're overdosing on the meatloaf?

[deiseach]

I would have thought the last place someone who is underage is going to get served is in the bar at a GAA club. After all, everyone is aware of what age they are!

[Bogball XV]

I would have thought the last place someone who is underage is going to get served is in the bar at a GAA club. After all, everyone is aware of what age they are!

It's not just as simple as that deiseach, up round north derry for example, you'd get many's the lad playing for the u14's when he's actually about 19   What's the barman to do then?

[deiseach]

It's not just as simple as that deiseach, up round north derry for example, you'd get many's the lad playing for the u14's when he's actually about 19   What's the barman to do then?

Call the PSNI 

[belleaqua]

The drink problem is a cultural one, dont know for the life of me why this country has not followed the European model. IMO thats the only way we will change it. I firmly believe that pubs in this country shouldnt close til 5 or 6 in the morning like on the continent.

Im waiting for the inevitable barrage of criticism but im tellin yee it would work after 6 weeks or so. after everyone realises that they cant drink for 10 hours straight every weekend because they cant afford it they will soon change their ways.

It would cut out the drinking of spirits and shots and there would be no rush to the bar at a nite club at closing time to get locked. Therefore less violence on the streets afterwards. Thats where it has to start.

[deiseach]

Yes it's not as simple as that deiseach. It doesn't matter who serves them. They will get drink if they want it because people just roll their eyes and tolerate the fact that young people drink, because they watch possibly their mentors and their senior players drinking. Here's a question for you? Should the bar be open for an U8 or an U10 presentation?

I don't ever recall U8 or U10 presentations being done in the bar in our club (though that might reflect the lack of trophies our club won at that level in my day). In fact, kids were pretty much barred from the bar. So yes, leave the bar open.

It's not the revenue from the club's bar that I think would be missed were the GAA to stop selling alcohol. It's the whole social side that comes from drink. To close that side of the GAA down so as to curb any underage drinking that comes with it strikes me of being as case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater