The Irish Cancer Society welcomes news this week that the European Commission has made no objection to the Government’s plan to put health warnings on alcohol products

The Irish Cancer Society welcomes news this week that the European Commission has made no objection to the Government’s plan to put health warnings on alcohol products.

Director of Advocacy, Rachel Morrogh, said: “Health labelling will empower people to make informed decisions about alcohol by raising awareness of the risk it poses to health. Alcohol is attributable to 1,000 cases of cancer[1] [2] in Ireland every year, and reducing this number is a key priority for the Irish Cancer Society. There is considerable public support[3] in favour of cancer warnings and we hope that the Minister for Health will act quickly to sign the provisions into law.

“Minister Stephen Donnelly, former Minister of State Frank Feighan and the wider Government have demonstrated committed and important leadership on the issue of alcohol labelling, positioning Ireland yet again, as the country willing to take brave actions to help people attain better health.

“The Irish Cancer Society notes that there was considerable support from European and global health advocates[4] for the Ireland’s alcohol labelling plans.

“Given the rising cases of cancer in Ireland and the devastation this causes families every day, we urge the Government to implement the regulations quickly after so many years of delay.”

[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(21)00279-5/fulltext

[2] Alcohol and cancer - HSE.ie

[3] https://alcoholireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/filebase/reports/AAI-poll-August-2022-Aug-9th-1.pdf

[4] https://www.eurocare.org/cares.php?sp=labeling&ssp=civil-society-unites-behind-ireland-s-labelling-plans