NOffLA EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER LACK OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CONTROL OF TEENAGE DRINKING 

“We are doing our bit but we need parents to do their bit as well” says Jim McCabe

The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA), representing 350 independent off-licences throughout the country, stated  that it has serious concerns over the attitude of parents to teenage drinking.

Speaking at NOffLA’s annual Irish Wine Show, Jim McCabe, Chairman of the Association, said that  “The ‘Responsible Trading in the Community’ – RTC – training programme, which all members of the National Off-Licence Association must undertake as a requirement for membership, has been acknowledged in Ireland as the most positive proactive initiative to promote responsible retailing of alcohol.

The integrity of the RTC is founded on the basis that companies and individuals involved on a day to day basis with consumers of alcohol, need to make a binding commitment to conduct their trade in the most responsible and professional manner.

This binding commitment however will only work in partnership with parental responsibility. The legal age for the purchase of alcohol is 18 years of age but often this is not being observed by parents when it comes to their children.

The tacit agreement of parents to allow their underage children take the odd drink undermines the law of the land and if parents permit their children to take alcohol in unsupervised situations, this may result in binge drinking and arrested social development in the teenager which is irrevocable.

And so the cycle continues from generation to generation.

Mr McCabe was speaking at the opening of the 9th Irish Wine Show, a showcase event attended by all the leading national and international wine distributors and suppliers.

 ENDS