Michael McHale , 2025-04-25 07:30:00
Open letter to Government opposes plans to re-examine labelling measures which are due to begin in May 2026
The planned introduction of health information labelling on alcohol should not be ‘derailed or delayed’ by industry lobbying, an open letter signed by more than 75 health advocates has said.
The letter to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, as well as chief medical officer Prof Mary Horgan, voices strong opposition to the mooted ‘re-examination’ of plans to introduce the labelling requirements in May 2026.
“These labels will ensure that consumers are given the facts about some of the risks from alcohol including risks in pregnancy, links with fatal cancers and liver disease,” the letter states.
The letter comes after Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the issue of the health warning labels ‘will be examined’ due to the rollout of US tariffs on Irish goods announced by US president Donald Trump.
“I do believe that will be examined. One of the pieces of work we need to do is reassess where we are with the competitiveness of our economy overall,” Mr Donohoe told RTÉ Radio One’s This Week programme earlier this month.
“We need to assess, if in any way, is Government doing anything that will make it harder for those amazing companies in our food and beverage sector to continue to be successful in the future.”
However, health advocates have hit back at any suggestion that the new labelling could be delayed or curtailed.
“This latest attempt from industry is part of a long-running campaign against these modest regulations,” the letter adds.
“Previous efforts by the immensely profitable global alcohol industry have included claims that the warning language is ‘disproportionate and inaccurate’ and primarily geared toward ‘scaring people’.
“This is despite the evidence that even 1-2 drinks per day carries increased cancer risk with around 1,000 alcohol related cancers diagnosed annually in Ireland, that liver disease death rates have steadily increased over the past 20 years and that Ireland has one of the highest rates of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in the world.”
AAI CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany
Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany said the letter shows the ‘deep disquiet’ among healthcare leaders of any potential rollback on the labelling, which is part of legislation passed in 2018.
“Ireland should take pride in its leadership in this regard. Like the smoking ban 20 years ago, it is likely that other countries will follow suit,” she said.
“Micheál Martin knows all too well the power of industry lobbying efforts to stymie public health initiatives from his time as Minister for Health during the smoking ban, while Simon Harris was one of the driving forces behind the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, which mandates alcohol labelling.
“Both have faced down ferocious industry lobbying in the past and both must stand firm again now. AAI, and all the advocates and organisations listed – 76 in total – from health to community groups to academics and individuals, are simply asking the government to ensure that there is no backtracking on such an important public health measure.”
Once introduced, the new drinks labelling will include information on the harmful effects of alcohol on a range of illnesses including cancer and liver disease.
It will also give a visual warning for pregnant women not to consume alcohol, as well as outlining the number of grams of pure alcohol that are in the product and its energy content in kilojoules and calories. Details of the HSE’s website www.askaboutalcohol.ie will also be displayed.
Among those to sign the open letter was Prof John Ryan, consultant hepatologist at Beaumont Hospital and founding director of the Irish Liver Foundation
“I have had young people admitted under me each day this week with alcohol withdrawal seizures or harm. Sometimes two-to-three per day,” he said.
“Any move to backtrack on labelling would play right into the hands of the alcohol industry who for years have worked doggedly to keep the public in the dark over the harm its product causes.
“There should be no question that industry’s latest disinformation tactic – linking global trading concerns brought on by recent US trade tariffs to the Irish health issue of labelling – should be countenanced by Government, given that labelling applies only to alcohol products sold in Ireland and has absolutely no impact on exports or imports, as the legal onus is on retailers of alcohol, not manufacturers, to ensure products are labelled.
“For example, if a product does not have the required label, a supermarket or off-licence can simply add a sticker to the product. It must also be remembered that labelling is law, signed and sealed – it’s now up to this Government to deliver.”
The Irish Cancer Prevention Network – a partnership between the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), Breakthrough Cancer Research, The Marie Keating Foundation, The Irish Cancer Society and the National Screening Service who collaborates on cancer prevention initiatives in Ireland – highlighted the link between alcohol and cancer.
Dr Breeda Neville, specialist in public health medicine, said: “Alcohol is a group one carcinogen, placing it in the same category as tobacco, asbestos and UV radiation. This means that there is conclusive evidence that alcohol consumption causes cancer.
“Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer: mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), oesophagus, breast, bowel and liver cancer. Despite this significant risk, public awareness remains alarmingly low. In the 2022 National Survey on Cancer Awareness and Attitudes less than half (42 per cent) of people living in Ireland identified alcohol as a risk factor for cancer.”
