Latest news with #AlcoholActionIreland
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Govt walks back plans to force companies to slap health warnings on booze amid rising cost pressure & Trump tariff fears
THE Government has canned plans to force booze companies to put health warnings on beer, wine and spirits. The measure has been slapped with a two-year delay due to concerns that it would hurt Irish 3 Frank Murray of Alcohol Action Ireland said there is a huge link between cancer and alcohol consumption 3 Tainiste Simon Harris brought the motion to cabinet Credit: PA The last The law was due to kick in next year but the Cabinet today agreed to put it on the long finger following backlash by the booze businesses. Industry figures had warned the Government that the introduction of the labels specifically for Ireland would create an added cost for businesses which could have an impact on prices for consumers. This increase in cost for companies was coming at a time when Trump is threatening tariffs of up to 30 per cent on all goods travelling from READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS Many Irish beer and whiskey companies rely on the US market for major sales, and tariffs run the risk of hurting their bottom line. In a bid to ease the pressure on these companies, the Cabinet today agreed to delay the introduction of the Tanaiste The Tanaiste told his Government colleagues that the delay will enable the Most read in Irish News However, one Minister told the Irish Sun that the alcohol labelling law will not see the light of day under the current Government. They said: 'That's that done. You won't be hearing about that again.' 'PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THOSE RISKS' Alcohol Action Ireland had previously slammed the Government's decision to delay the label law. Chairperson of Alcohol Action Ireland Professor Frank Murray told 'Unfortunately, the risk of alcohol consumption in terms of cancer, for instance, begins at very low levels of alcohol consumption, particularly breast cancer. 'Again, most people don't know that I'm afraid.' NEW PLAN The The proposal comes as part of a newly published ten-year NHS plan. There have also been similar initiatives in other countries — including 3 It was proposed that booze get slapped with a health warning Credit: Getty
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Wine brand ahead with Irish cancer warning
|By Guyon Espiner of RNZ One of New Zealand's most celebrated wine brands is putting cancer warning labels on wines exported to Ireland - nearly a year ahead of a law making the labels compulsory from May 2026. Villa Maria wines sold in Ireland feature a label on the bottle warning drinkers ''there is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers'' and also that ''drinking alcohol causes liver disease''. Alcohol harm reduction advocates say the labels should also be on alcohol sold in New Zealand rather than leaving drinkers in the dark about the cancer risk. Simon Limmer, chief executive of Indevin which owns the Villa Maria brand, said cancer warnings were on all Villa Maria wines produced for the Irish market from the 2024 vintage onwards and had been appearing on shelves over the last six months. The wine travelled long distances and could spend weeks in shipping containers and distribution before reaching retail shelves so acting early would avoid disruption for retail partners and consumers. "Consumers will likely take note of the new labels in Ireland as it's a significant change across all alcoholic products but it's too soon to understand the ongoing impact on purchasing decisions." Photos of Villa Maria wines featuring the warning labels were sent to advocacy groups in New Zealand by Alcohol Action Ireland, as it rallies support to stave off an alcohol industry lobbying effort to stall the labels. Sheila Gilheany, chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland, wrote to alcohol harm reduction groups in New Zealand warning of a "severe threat to Ireland's alcohol health information labelling regulations". Gilheany told RNZ that Ireland's alcohol industry had opposed the cancer warning labels and was now using fears about trade tariffs to call for a delay. Irish media now expect the government to defer the introduction of cancer warning labels until 2029. Gilheany welcomed Villa Maria's acceptance of Ireland's labelling law and said winemakers from Australia and Spain had also been early adopters. "They are assuming that the government is not going to turn its back on its own law. Why should it? But at the same time, we can see the pressure that the various sectors of the industry are placing on the government here in Ireland and seeking to have it postponed." Ireland had about 1000 alcohol-related cancers every year and one in eight breast cancer cases were linked to alcohol but awareness of those risks was low, she said. Governments had to "face down the lobbying" both locally and internationally, Gilheany said. "We know that when Ireland goes ahead with this measure, particularly around the cancer warnings, it is likely that other nations will follow suit." Global push for warning labels Dozens of health groups recently wrote to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging him to follow Ireland's lead. The letter was coordinated by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) which is calling for "clear, plain, distinct and mandatory" cancer warning labels rather than ambiguous language such as "drink responsibly". In January this year, the US surgeon general said alcohol was a leading preventable cause of cancer and alcohol products should carry a warning label like cigarettes do. Virginia Nicholls, executive director of the New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council, said the industry did not support cancer warning labels. "The level of health risk associated with alcohol is more complicated than a label can convey. "Labelling does not take into account the difference between responsible and hazardous drinking. The best place to get information on any health concerns is from your doctor." Labels may raise awareness but did not change behaviour and called for policies to "target the minority of people who are hazardous drinkers and not the large majority of Kiwis who are responsible drinkers". Nicholls said cancer risk was low when drinking at "moderate levels" and claimed there were "benefits of moderate alcohol consumption" including reduced risk of heart attacks, ischaemic strokes and diabetes. But in a 2023 statement the World Health Organisation said "when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health". "There are no studies that would demonstrate that the potential beneficial effects of light and moderate drinking on cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes outweigh the cancer risk associated with these same levels of alcohol consumption for individual consumers." The WHO says alcohol was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago. "This is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation and tobacco." Lisa Te Morenga, co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa, said New Zealanders were being kept in the dark. "Most New Zealanders don't really realise that alcohol is a carcinogen. So while the Irish are having their awareness raised, our consumers are missing out." ACT's Nicole McKee, the Minister responsible for alcohol policy, is working on reform of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. She said her focus was on "regulatory relief" to make business easier for retailers and hospitality venues and also on reducing alcohol-related harm. "I have not yet received any advice regarding cancer warning labels on alcohol products. Cabinet has yet to make any decisions regarding any reforms."
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Zero and low-alcohol drinks: what you need to know
Slowly, steadily, we are reducing the amount of alcohol we consume as a nation. Recent data from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows that alcohol consumption fell by 4.5% last year, continuing a welcome downward trend. Sales of booze-free and low alcohol — dubbed NoLo — beers and wines are booming as more of us make the switch to seemingly healthier drink choices. According to the Irish Beer Market Report, the demand for non-alcoholic beer alone grew by 18% in 2023-2024. The move to reduce alcohol intake is good news for our long-term health. But experts are questioning whether the NoLo market is as worthy as its manufacturers claim. 'Industry data shows that low- and no-alcohol drinks represent only about 1% of the market,' says Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland. 'They are portrayed as a public health solution to excessive alcohol consumption, but the World Health Organization has significant concerns over the marketing of the products and says that reduced or no-alcohol drinks don't deserve a health halo.' Others suggest that they are no better for us than conventional soft drinks, with many NoLo products being relatively high in sugar. Scientists from the US, Germany, and Spain recently warned that consuming just two small bottles of some low- or no-alcohol beers a day is enough to raise blood sugar levels and the long-term risk of type II diabetes and obesity. 'Non-alcoholic beers are gaining popularity as alternatives to alcoholic beverages, yet their metabolic and health effects, compared to no consumption of these drinks, remain unclear,' they reported in the Nutrients journal [ For the study, the international research team asked a group of 44 healthy young men to drink either two 330ml bottles of alcohol-free beer or water every day for four weeks. During the trial, the team conducted regular blood tests and other assessments to check for changes in glucose and lipid metabolism, liver enzymes, body composition, and the composition of the men's gut microbiome. The results showed that, compared to water, alcohol-free wheat beers and 'mixed beers' — a variety typically flavoured with soda — had 'an unfavourable metabolic impact on glucose and fat', which the team said was 'probably due to the caloric and sugar content' of the drinks. Lighter Pilsner-type, low-alcohol beers with a maximum 0.5% ABV, had a much less damaging impact. Pure alcohol contains around seven calories per gram — almost as many as fat — or about 56 calories per unit. Non-alcoholic drinks with an ABV of 0.5% or lower typically contain fewer calories than regular versions of the same drink, but they are not necessarily low-sugar or low-calorie options. In many cases, sugar is added to enhance flavour and palatability, significantly increasing the sugar content per bottle or glass. The Government recommends that adults limit their intake of added sugars to no more than 30g per day. Over one third of that upper limit would be reached with one 330ml bottle of Erdinger Alkoholfrei zero-alcohol beer, which contains about 11g of sugar. 'These drinks could be substitutes for some other soft drinks or consumed in addition to them, but they are an alternative not a better choice,' Gilheany says. 'Low- and no-alcohol drinks are not suitable for children or for adults in alcohol recovery, as they simulate the taste and flavour of alcohol.' Yet many of us can't get enough of low- or no-alcohol beers and wines. Here's what you get per glass or bottle in some of the popular NoLo products: GUINNESS ZERO 440ml can Guinness Zero Alcohol content: 0.0% ABV; Sugar: 0.7g per 100ml; 3.1g per can; Calories: 17 per 100ml; 75 per can. CARLSBERG ALCOHOL FREE 330ml bottle Carlsberg Alcohol Free Alcohol content: 0.0% ABV; Sugar: Less than 0.5g per 100ml; 1.5g per bottle; Calories: 19 per 100ml; 63 per bottle. BROOKLYN SPECIAL EFFECTS 330ml bottle Brooklyn Special Effects Alcohol content: 0.4% ABV; Sugar: 2.9g per 100ml; 9.5g per bottle; Calories: 29 per 100ml; 95 per bottle. LUCKY SAINT LAGER 330ml bottle Lucky Saint Lager Alcohol content: 0.5% ABV; Sugar: 0.1g per 100ml; 0.33g per bottle; Calories: 16 per 100ml; 53 per bottle. UNLTD IPA 330ml bottle UNLTD IPA Alcohol content: 0.5% ABV; Sugar: 0.1g per 100ml; 0.33g per bottle; Calories: Four per 100ml; 13.2 per bottle. PERONI NASTRO AZZURO 330ml bottle Peroni Nastro Azzurro Alcohol content: 0.0% ABV; Sugar: 0.8g per 100ml; 2.64g per bottle; Calories: 23 per 100ml; 75 per bottle. HEINEKEN 0 330ml bottle Heineken Zero Alcohol content: 0.0% ABV; Sugar: 1.3g per 100ml; 4.29g per bottle; Calories: 21 per 100ml; 70 per bottle. BREWDOG NANNY STATE 330ml bottle Brewdog Nanny State Alcohol content: 0.5% ABV; Sugar: 0.4g per 100ml; 1.32g per bottle; Calories: 6.0 per 100ml; 19.9 per bottle. BECKS BLUE 275ml bottle Becks Blue Alcohol content: 0.05% ABV; Sugar: 0.2g per 100ml; 0.6g per bottle; Calories: 14 per 100ml; 39 per bottle.; ERDINGER ALKOHOLFREI 330ml bottle Erdinger Alkoholfrei Alcohol content: Less than 0.5% ABV Sugar: 3.6 per 100g; 11.9 per bottle; Calories: 25 per 100ml; 82 per bottle. DAYS LAGER 0% 330ml bottle Days Lager 0% Alcohol content: 0.0% ABV; Sugar: 2.5g per 100ml; 8.25g per bottle; Calories: 22 per 100ml; 25.3 per bottle. PROPER JOB IPA 440ml can Proper Job IPA Alcohol content: 0.5% ABV; Sugar: 1.4g per 100ml; 4.62g per can; Calories: 22 per 100ml; 72.6 per can. ZEROZECCO SPARKLING WHITE WINE 750ml bottle Zerozecco Sparkling White Alcohol content: Less than 0.5% ABV; Sugar: 5.7g per bottle; 0.76g per 100ml; 1.33g per 175ml glass; Calories: 25 per 100ml; 43 per 125ml glass. NOUGHTY BLANC 750ml bottle Noughty Blanc Alcohol content: 0.5% ABV; Sugar: 2.1g per 100ml; 3.6g per 175ml glass; Calories: 17 per 100ml; 30 per 175ml glass. BIG DROP CITRIA IPA 330ml can Big Drop Citria IPA Alcohol content: 0.5% ABV; Sugar: Less than 0.5g per 100ml; 1.65 per can; Calories: 18.5 per 100ml; 61 per can. NOZECO 750ml bottle Nozeco Alcohol content: 0.5% ABV; Sugar: 5g per 100ml; 8.75g per 175ml glass; Calories: 20 per 100ml; 35 per 175ml glass. FREIXENET PRESECCO 750ml bottle Freixenet Presecco Alcohol content: Less than 0.5% ABV; Sugar: 5g per 100ml; 8.75g per 175ml glass; Calories: 20 per 100ml; 35 per 175ml glass. MCGUIGAN ZERO SAVIGNON BLANC 750ml bottle McGuigan Zero Sauvignon Blanc Alcohol content: Less than 0.5% ABV; Sugar: 4.2g per 100ml; 7.4g per 175ml glass; Calories: 24 per 100ml; 42 per 175ml glass. WEDNESDAY'S DOMAINE SPARKLING CUVEE 750ml bottle Wednesday's Domaine Sparkling Cuvée Alcohol content: 0.0% ABV; Sugar: 2.7g per 100ml; 4.7g per 175ml; Calories: 10.9 per 100ml; 19 per 125ml. MCGUIGAN ZERO SHIRAZ 750ml bottle McGuigan Zero Shiraz Alcohol content: 0.0% ABV; Sugar: 4.5g per 100ml; 7.8g per 175ml glass; Calories: 29 per 100ml; 50.7 per 175ml glass. Industry data shows that low and no-alcohol drinks represent only about 1% of the market See:
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Health
- NZ Herald
Villa Maria adds fatal cancer warning label on bottles sold in Ireland
The wine travelled long distances and could spend weeks in shipping containers and distribution before reaching retail shelves, so acting early would avoid disruption for retail partners and consumers. 'Consumers will likely take note of the new labels in Ireland as it's a significant change across all alcoholic products but it's too soon to understand the ongoing impact on purchasing decisions.' Photos of Villa Maria wines featuring the warning labels were sent to advocacy groups in New Zealand by Alcohol Action Ireland, as it rallies support to stave off an alcohol industry lobbying effort to stall the labels. Sheila Gilheany, chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland, wrote to alcohol harm reduction groups in New Zealand warning of a 'severe threat to Ireland's alcohol health information labelling regulations'. Gilheany told RNZ that Ireland's alcohol industry had opposed the cancer warning labels and was now using fears about trade tariffs to call for a delay. Irish media now expect the Government to defer the introduction of cancer warning labels until 2029. Gilheany welcomed Villa Maria's acceptance of Ireland's labelling law and said winemakers from Australia and Spain had also been early adopters. 'They are assuming that the government is not going to turn its back on its own law. Why should it? But at the same time, we can see the pressure that the various sectors of the industry are placing on the government here in Ireland and seeking to have it postponed.' Ireland had about 1000 alcohol-related cancers every year and one in eight breast cancer cases were linked to alcohol but awareness of those risks was low, she said. Governments had to 'face down the lobbying' both locally and internationally, Gilheany said. 'We know that when Ireland goes ahead with this measure, particularly around the cancer warnings, it is likely that other nations will follow suit.' Global push for warning labels Dozens of health groups recently wrote to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging him to follow Ireland's lead. The letter was co-ordinated by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) which is calling for 'clear, plain, distinct and mandatory' cancer warning labels rather than ambiguous language such as 'drink responsibly'. In January 2025, the US surgeon general said alcohol was a leading preventable cause of cancer and alcohol products should carry a warning label like cigarettes do. Virginia Nicholls, executive director of the New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council, said the industry did not support cancer warning labels. 'The level of health risk associated with alcohol is more complicated than a label can convey,' she said. 'Labelling does not take into account the difference between responsible and hazardous drinking. The best place to get information on any health concerns is from your doctor.' Labels may raise awareness but did not change behaviour and called for policies to 'target the minority of people who are hazardous drinkers and not the large majority of Kiwis who are responsible drinkers'. Nicholls said cancer risk was low when drinking at 'moderate levels' and claimed there were 'benefits of moderate alcohol consumption' including reduced risk of heart attacks, ischaemic strokes and diabetes. But in a 2023 statement, the World Health Organisation said, 'when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health'. 'There are no studies that would demonstrate that the potential beneficial effects of light and moderate drinking on cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes outweigh the cancer risk associated with these same levels of alcohol consumption for individual consumers.' The WHO says alcohol was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago. 'This is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation and tobacco.' Lisa Te Morenga, co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa, said New Zealanders were being kept in the dark. 'Most New Zealanders don't really realise that alcohol is a carcinogen,' she said. 'So while the Irish are having their awareness raised, our consumers are missing out.' Act's Nicole McKee, the minister responsible for alcohol policy, is working on reform of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. She said her focus was on 'regulatory relief' to make business easier for retailers and hospitality venues and also on reducing alcohol-related harm. 'I have not yet received any advice regarding cancer warning labels on alcohol products,' she said. 'Cabinet has yet to make any decisions regarding any reforms.' -RNZ
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Villa Maria adds fatal cancer warning label on bottles sold in Ireland
A warning label about the direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers now appears on Villa Maria wines sold in Ireland Photo: RNZ One of New Zealand's most celebrated wine brands is putting cancer warning labels on wines exported to Ireland - nearly a year ahead of a law making the labels compulsory from May 2026. Villa Maria wines sold in Ireland feature a label on the bottle warning drinkers that, "there is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers " and also that "drinking alcohol causes liver disease". Alcohol harm reduction advocates say the labels should be on alcohol sold in New Zealand too rather than leaving drinkers in the dark about the cancer risk. Simon Limmer, chief executive of Indevin which owns the Villa Maria brand, said cancer warnings were on all Villa Maria wines produced for the Irish market from the 2024 vintage onwards and had been appearing on shelves over the last six months. The wine travelled long distances and could spend weeks in shipping containers and distribution before reaching retail shelves so acting early would avoid disruption for retail partners and consumers. "Consumers will likely take note of the new labels in Ireland as it's a significant change across all alcoholic products but it's too soon to understand the ongoing impact on purchasing decisions." Photos of Villa Maria wines featuring the warning labels were sent to advocacy groups in New Zealand by Alcohol Action Ireland, as it rallies support to stave off an alcohol industry lobbying effort to stall the labels. Sheila Gilheany, chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland, wrote to alcohol harm reduction groups in New Zealand warning of a "severe threat to Ireland's alcohol health information labelling regulations". Gilheany told RNZ that Ireland's alcohol industry had opposed the cancer warning labels and was now using fears about trade tariffs to call for a delay. Irish media now expect the government to defer the introduction of cancer warning labels until 2029. Gilheany welcomed Villa Maria's acceptance of Ireland's labelling law and said winemakers from Australia and Spain had also been early adopters. "They are assuming that the government is not going to turn its back on its own law. Why should it? But at the same time, we can see the pressure that the various sectors of the industry are placing on the government here in Ireland and seeking to have it postponed." Ireland had about 1000 alcohol related cancers every year and one in eight breast cancer cases were linked to alcohol but awareness of those risks was low, she said. Governments had to "face down the lobbying" both locally and internationally, Gilheany said. "We know that when Ireland goes ahead with this measure, particularly around the cancer warnings, it is likely that other nations will follow suit." Dozens of health groups recently wrote to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging him to follow Ireland's lead. The letter was coordinated by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) which is calling for "clear, plain, distinct and mandatory" cancer warning labels rather than ambiguous language such as "drink responsibly". In January 2025 the US surgeon general said alcohol was a leading preventable cause of cancer and alcohol products should carry a warning label like cigarettes do. Virginia Nicholls, executive director of the New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council, said the industry did not support cancer warning labels. "The level of health risk associated with alcohol is more complicated than a label can convey," she said. "Labelling does not take into account the difference between responsible and hazardous drinking. The best place to get information on any health concerns is from your doctor." Labels may raise awareness but did not change behaviour and called for policies to "target the minority of people who are hazardous drinkers and not the large majority of Kiwis who are responsible drinkers". Nicholls said cancer risk was low when drinking at "moderate levels" and claimed there were "benefits of moderate alcohol consumption" including reduced risk of heart attacks, ischaemic strokes and diabetes. But in a 2023 statement the World Health Organisation said "when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health". "There are no studies that would demonstrate that the potential beneficial effects of light and moderate drinking on cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes outweigh the cancer risk associated with these same levels of alcohol consumption for individual consumers." The WHO says alcohol was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago. "This is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation and tobacco." Lisa Te Morenga, co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa, said New Zealanders were being kept in the dark. "Most New Zealanders don't really realise that alcohol is a carcinogen," she said. "So while the Irish are having their awareness raised, our consumers are missing out." ACT's Nicole McKee, the Minister responsible for alcohol policy, is working on reform of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. She said her focus was on "regulatory relief" to make business easier for retailers and hospitality venues and also on reducing alcohol-related harm. "I have not yet received any advice regarding cancer warning labels on alcohol products," she said. "Cabinet has yet to make any decisions regarding any reforms." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
