Will Ireland Lead Again? Eurocare Calls on Ireland to Follow Through on Alcohol Labels
What Happened?
Alcohol labelling is under thread in Ireland. Two years ago, Ireland adopted the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023, set to come into force in May 2026 requiring all alcoholic beverages sold in Ireland to carry clear health warnings and nutritional information. Under this law, labels must include warnings about the risks of consuming alcohol during pregnancy, its link to fatal cancers and liver disease, and display the calorie content and grams of alcohol per product. This legislation, part of Ireland’s broader Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, positions the country as the first in the EU—and one of the first globally—to implement such comprehensive labelling. The aim is to provide consumers with transparent, evidence-based information about alcohol-related health risks.
However, Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance of Ireland, recently said that the introduction of alcohol health warning labels would have to be "carefully examined again" by the Government considering the increased pressure on the drinks industry due to US tariffs and the need to maintain competitiveness.
In a letter sent to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin this week, Eurocare asked the national leader to defend Ireland’s historic leadership on public health.
“This is a moment of truth for public health. The science is clear—alcohol causes cancer. Ireland has the political courage to act where others hesitate. By standing firm on labelling, Ireland is not just protecting its own citizens, it is setting a vital precedent for the rest of the world.” Peter Rice, President, European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare)
Ireland’s Global Legacy in Public Health
In 2004, Ireland made global headlines by becoming the first country in the world to introduce comprehensive smoke-free legislation. It was a bold, pioneering move that reshaped the landscape of public health not only in Ireland, but around the world. At the time, industry lobbyists predicted economic disaster; claims that were swiftly disproven. Instead, Ireland’s leadership set a powerful example, demonstrating that with political courage, it is possible to challenge powerful industries and prioritise the health of citizens. Today, that same leadership is needed again: this time on alcohol labelling.
“Ireland changed the world with its smoke-free legislation and we trust it will do it again. Alcohol causes cancer, and people have the right to know. Clear labelling is not a luxury, it is a basic public health measure. For instance, women have the right to know that alcohol can lead to breast cancer even if they drink very little alcohol. If Ireland stands firm, it will once again lead the way for Europe and beyond.” Florence Berteletti, Secretary General, European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare)
Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen; exactly like tobacco. This means it is scientifically proven to cause cancer in humans, and there is no safe level of consumption. Yet, millions of people remain unaware of this fact. That is why clear, prominent, and evidence-based labelling is a fundamental public health measure and a basic consumer right. People have the right to know what they are consuming, and the risks that come with it.
The Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023, due to come into force in May 2026, mark a courageous and necessary step towards protecting that right. They will require alcohol products sold in Ireland to carry clear warnings about the health risks associated with alcohol use, including its role in causing cancer. These regulations will be the first of their kind globally—once again positioning Ireland as a trailblazer in public health.
What’s at Stake? What Do Citizens Expect?
But this progress is under threat. Despite overwhelming public support (72% of the Irish public backs the introduction of health warnings on alcohol labels) the alcohol industry is pushing back. It is using familiar arguments to delay and derail the implementation process: warning of job losses, economic harm, and unnecessary burdens on small businesses. These are the same scare tactics used two decades ago in the battle over smoke-free laws. Then, as now, the public health community stood firm.
The World Health Organization estimates that the wider cost of alcohol harm to the Irish State is €12 billion annually—ten times the revenue collected from alcohol excise duties. And the toll is not just financial: lives are being cut short, families devastated, and communities strained under the weight of alcohol-related harm. The Irish health service alone absorbs at least 11% of its budget dealing with the consequences.
Ireland’s leadership matters. The country has long held a respected role in driving forward health policy, and it continues to inspire others. If Ireland succeeds in implementing these world-leading alcohol labelling regulations, it will send a strong message globally: that public health must come before industry profit.
As civil society organisations working across Europe and internationally, we commend the Irish Government’s resolve and echo the call of our member Alcohol Action Ireland to stay the course in the face of growing industry pressure. This is a defining moment—not just for Ireland, but for public health across the globe.
We urge continued political leadership to ensure these vital regulations are implemented in full and on time. The world is watching—and cheering Ireland on.