07/03/2012

Attwood To 'Get Tough' On Alcohol Promotions

Northern Ireland’s nightclub owners have been summoned to a meeting to discuss "irresponsible" alcohol promotions.

Following the death pf 20-year-old Joby Murphy, who died after a night out drinking,various criticisms have been raised about the amount of "cheap" drink offers available to teens at NI nightspots.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood has revealed that up to 40 nightclub owners will meet with him discuss the issue.

Joby Murphy had been drinking vodka at £1 a shot before he fell into the River Lagan in January. At the time, his father criticised cheap drink deals.

Minister Atwood told Good Morning Ulster that he was going to get tough on the issue. It is understood that the Minister wants to make it tougher for pubs and clubs to get entertainment licenses.

On the radio show he said: "I expect it to be a tough conversation. I want to get across a hard message and hard proposals to deal with the issue."

This news comes as Health Minister Edwin Poots looks at introducing minimum pricing for alcohol and Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland looks at banning some cheap drink promotions.

(LB)

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