Backlash over Government suggestions that alcohol health labels will be delayed

The Government has been criticised for indicating that the introduction of health labels on alcohol products may be delayed.

The new drinks labelling, which once implemented will include information on the harmful effects of alcohol on a range of illnesses including cancer and liver disease, was expected to come into effect in May 2026.

However, today in the Dáil Tánaiste Simon Harris said that the Government needs to “give consideration to the timeline for the implementation” of health information labelling of alcohol products, due to the “new trade environment” brought about by US tariffs.

Dr Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, expressed disappointment with these latest comments and described the alcohol industry’s attempt to link new labelling with current economic factors as a ‘red herring’.

“Labelling of alcohol products is a health issue and has nothing to do with Ireland’s exports as the regulations only apply to products sold in Ireland. While in relation to imports, or home-produced products, the legal onus is on retailers, not producers/manufacturers, to ensure products are labelled,” she said.

“Therefore, a supermarket or off-licence can simply add a sticker to the product. Linking labelling to the ‘trading environment’ is an industry red-herring and it should be called out as such by politicians.

She added: “It is deeply disappointing that Simon Harris, who as Minister for Health steered through the Public Health (Alcohol) Act in 2018 which gave rise to the regulations, now appears to have fallen for industry spin.

“During the many years of discussion on the legislation, Simon Harris saw at first hand the ferocious lobbying by the alcohol industry against any measure which seeks to improve public health. Previous tactics have included denying the health risks from alcohol. Claims now about trading environments should be taken with a large pinch of salt.”

The latest comments come one week after an open letter signed by 75 health advocates said that the planned introduction of health information labelling on alcohol should not be ‘derailed or delayed’ by industry lobbying.

“This latest attempt from industry is part of a long-running campaign against these modest regulations,” the letter said.

“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.”