Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), the national independent advocate to reduce alcohol harm, is shocked by comments made by Tánaiste Simon Harris today (Thurs) in the Dail that 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.

Coming from a former Minister for Health and champion of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, the comments represent a sea change in thinking from such a senior government minister and raise questions regarding the real motives behind the move, as labelling is purely an Irish health matter and has absolutely nothing to do with trade. At best it seems the Tánaiste has been duped by the alcohol industry’s campaign of industry misinformation, at worst it looks like he is willing to put the profits of shareholders in alcohol companies before the health and wellbeing of Irish citizens.

AAI CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany said: “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. 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.

“These modest labels have been extensively discussed for years and have gone through all the proper notification procedures with the EU and with the World Trade Organisation and are due to come into effect in May 2026. They will provide facts to consumers about health risks from alcohol. However, they have been vehemently opposed by the alcohol industry which is using every possible tactic to derail them.

“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.”

Since the move was first mooted by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe last month, more than 75 health, social and community organisations, academics and advocates have come together to voice strong opposition to the move. In an 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, the multiple public health representatives from a wide range of disciplines make 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. Concern has also been expressed internationally with multiple health bodies, including WHO Alcohol technical labelling group,  the European Alcohol Policy Alliance and the European Association for the Study of the Liver contacting the government on this issue. Meanwhile over 300 emails have been sent by members of the public to TDs on this issue.

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.

Dr Sheila Gilheany continued: “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.  Anything less is a betrayal of Ireland’s health and democratic processes.”