168. 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. [62399/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: As previously notified to the Deputy, there is no proposal to amend the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. The Act regulates alcohol products in order to reduce the health harms associated with their consumption; non-alcohol products do not cause such harms and are not regulated under the Act.

Non-alcohol 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. The recently released results of the Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 shows that 25% of the population have consumed non-alcohol products indicating that they may have a positive impact in reducing alcohol consumption.

My Department continues to monitor the emerging evidence and will conduct a specific evidence review on the public health impacts of such products and promotions to be concluded by end of quarter 2, 2026.