Alcohol Action Ireland press release, Thursday 24 April 2025
More than 75 health, social and community organisations, academics and advocates have come together to voice strong opposition to the mooted ‘re-examination’ of Ireland’s world leading health information labels for alcohol products.
The open letter to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, as well as Chief Medical Officer Prof Mary Horgan, is an urgent call for government to ensure that the planned introduction, in May 2026, of Ireland’s regulations on health information labelling of alcohol products is not derailed or delayed by alcohol industry lobbying. 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 with liver disease.
Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany said: “This letter shows the deep disquiet in the health and social community to the mooted re-examination of alcohol health information labelling. The legislation for these labels was passed in 2018 after extensive debate and with support from right across the political spectrum, matched by ongoing strong public support of over 70% for the measure.
“Critically the debate was informed by the research base which was clearly articulated by multiple health experts and advocates, many with deep experience of the harms from alcohol. Since then, the evidence has only grown stronger. 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.
“The evidence shows that even 1-2 drinks per day carries increased cancer risk with around 1,000 alcohol related cancers diagnosed annually in Ireland, while Ireland has the third highest level of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the world. Liver disease rates have also steadily increased over the past 20 years.
“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.”
Prof John Ryan, Consultant Hepatologist at Beaumont Hospital and Founding Director, Irish Liver Foundation Charity, said: “I have had young people admitted under me each day this week with alcohol withdrawal seizures or harm. Sometimes 2-3 per day.”
Labelling will ensure consumers are told the truth that alcohol causes 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.
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 – highlights the link between alcohol and cancer. Dr Breeda Neville, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, said: “Alcohol is a Group 1 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 7 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%) of people living in Ireland identified alcohol as a risk factor for cancer.”
Liz Yeates, CEO of Marie Keating Foundation, part of the Irish Cancer Prevention Network said: “We are expressing our serious concerns about proposals to delay the introduction of Ireland’s regulations requiring health information on alcohol products. Alcohol, like tobacco, is a recognised Group 1 carcinogen, and a known cause of cancer. Any amount or type of alcohol increases risk. Yet awareness of its health risks remains frighteningly low. Providing clear health warnings on alcohol products is a balanced, evidence-based approach that helps protect those living in Ireland from alcohol harm and could help prevent thousands of alcohol-related cancers in the future.”
Averil Power, CEO, Irish Cancer Society, “Around 1,000 Irish people are diagnosed with alcohol-related cancers every year. Research has found that most people are unaware of the link between alcohol and cancer. The Irish Cancer Society believes that information is power. Consumers have a right to know the risk of alcohol-related cancers so that they can make informed choices about their alcohol consumption.
“The Irish Cancer Society strongly advocated for the implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act back in 2018. This includes comprehensive warning labels to make people aware of the risk of cancer and other health harms. Research has found that the public are supportive of this move. It also had broad support in the Oireachtas. It would be hugely regressive if government was to give in now to lobbying by the alcohol industry and back down on this important public health measure.”
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