Breastfeeding Strategy for Northern Ireland (PDF 212 KB)

Northern Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. Low breastfeeding rates are associated with considerable morbidity, some mortality and increased health service costs for women and children. In Northern Ireland, several factors make the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding particularly difficult; these include cultural attitudes, commercial promotion of artificial milks and obstacles for the working mother. The aim of the Strategy is to promote and support breastfeeding. Medium-term objectives: - province-wide co-ordination of breastfeeding promotional activities - commissioning of breastfeeding support within the health service - detailed and uniform collection of infant feeding statistics - research into effective means of breastfeeding promotion - improved training in lactation management for health professionals - supporting breast milk feeding for special needs infants - raising of public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding - cessation of artificial milk promotion within the health service åÊ Long-term objectives: - adopt the recommendations following review of the milk token scheme in England - bringing the marketing of infant foods and feeding products into line with the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes åÊ Progress will be monitored by the Northern Ireland Breastfeeding Strategy Group. åÊ åÊ

Sugar reduction: from evidence into action

This document brings together the international evidence on interventions to help reduce the nation’s sugar consumption, as requested by the Department of Health. It contains options including further regulation of promotions, restrictions on the marketing of high sugar products, the impact of fiscal measures and a voluntary reformulation programme. This is the first time the evidence on the subject has been collated and assessed.

First Annual Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (2006)

First Annual Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (2006) In December 2005 the Minister for Health and Children set up the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (the Monitoring Body) to oversee the implementation of and adherence to the Voluntary Codes of Practice to limit the exposure of young people to alcohol advertising. These Codes were agreed between the Department of Health and Children and representatives of the advertising, drinks and mediacommunications industries. Click here to download PDF 139kb

Second Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (2007)

In December 2005, the Minister for Health and Children set up the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (the Monitoring Body) to oversee the implementation of and adherence to the Voluntary Codes of Practice to limit the exposure of young people to alcohol advertising. These Codes were agreed between the Department of Health and Children and representatives of the advertising, drinks and media communications industries. Click here to download PDF 146kb

Alcohol Marketing, Communications and Sponsorship Codes of Practice

In 2002 the Minister for Health and Children met with representative organisations from the Advertising Industry, the Association of Advertisers in Ireland (AAI), representing advertisers, the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI), representing the advertising agencies and Drinks Industry Group Ireland (DIGI) representing the Alcohol Drinks Industry. The discussions centred on the Ministerâ?Ts concerns about some of the content, weight of exposure and placement of alcohol advertising. In addition, issues were discussed on activities involved in the sponsorship of, and activities surrounding, music and sports events. Download document here

2008 Annual Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body

2008 Annual Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body Click here to download PDF 158kb

Limiting the Exposure of Young People to Alcohol Advertising: 4th Annual report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body

Limiting the Exposure of Young People to Alcohol Advertising: 4th Annual report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body Click here to download PDF 156KB

Limiting the Exposure of Young People to Alcohol Advertising: 5th Annual report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body

Limiting the Exposure of Young People to Alcohol Advertising: 5th Annual report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body Click here to download PDF 173KB