'Serious threat to public health': Doctors criticise delay over new alcohol labelling

The President of the Irish Medical Organisation, Dr Anne Dee, has warned the Government’s decision to delay the planned rollout of alcohol health information labelling until 2028 at the earliest is a “serious threat to public health”.

Dr Dee, a consultant in public health, believes the government has a duty to prioritise the welfare of the Irish people and that the decision is wrong.

“With this delay, we are seeing health being ignored in favour of corporate interests and profiteering," she stated outlining some of the potential repercussions of the decision to delay the rollout of the new regulations.

“It will result in preventable incidences of cancer, increased incidences of liver disease and harm to children because of a refusal to fully enact a bill signed into law seven years ago”.

Dr Dee insists that the labelling provisions under the public health (Alcohol) Act 2018 are an essential tool in reducing alcohol-related harm such as the worsening rates of liver disease, alcohol-related cancers and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

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In a hard-hitting statement, the president of the IMO has once again urged the government to reconsider its decision and to introduce the regulations as soon as possible.

“This is about giving people the basic information that alcohol causes cancer, liver damage, and harm during pregnancy. These are irrefutable facts. There is no excuse for keeping them off the label,” she said. “The longer this Government delays, the more irreversible damage is done.”

Dr Dee has also criticised the influence of vested interests in opposing the measure.

Earlier in the week, Drinks Ireland, the Ibec sector organisation representing alcohol drinks manufacturers, welcomed the Government decision to defer additional labelling requirements on drinks producers operating in the Irish market.

It says the decision provides much-needed relief for these companies, both small and large, and will allow exporters to focus their resources and efforts on market diversification and, in some cases, the survival of their businesses.