26. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health her views on the merits of amending the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 to remove the loophole that allows advertising by alcohol companies to advertise 0.0% versions of their products on TV, radio and sporting events; if her Department has carried out any research into this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33420/25]

Minister for Health: The Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 regulates the advertising of alcohol products. This is in order to reduce the enormous health harms associated with their consumption; non-alcohol products do not cause such harms. These products are relatively new to the market, therefore there is as yet insufficient evidence to determine whether they might have a positive health impact by encouraging consumers to substitute non-alcoholic products for those containing alcohol. My Department will undertake an assessment of the national and international peer-reviewed research available on the public health impacts of the emergence of these products. It is intended that this assessment will be concluded by Quarter 2 of next year.