Latest news with #Gilheany
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."
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
RTÉ News
7 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Government set to defer health labelling on alcoholic drinks until 2029
The Government is set to defer plans to require health labelling on alcoholic drinks until 2029. In an email sent to members of its trade forum, the Government signalled that a decision on deferring the long-planned move will be made next week. Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime, Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, said that these were "disappointing and bizarre" comments to hear from the Government. "It's a very disappointing comment to be made, and it's one that I can only describe it as bizarre, because these labels are already on multiple products in multiple shops right across the country," she said. "The idea of saying that we're going to delay this public health measure seems very strange indeed ..." Ms Gilheany pointed out that the decision had apparently not yet been made, but said they are calling on the Taoiseach to reflect and say - "'What is the point in actually delaying something which has long been planned for?'" Ms Gilheany said that this was a decision that would have consequences for many people. "Every year in Ireland, about 1,000 people will get a diagnosis of cancer which arises from alcohol. So, we're talking now about a four-year delay. That's 4,000 more people who will be getting that diagnosis," she said. "That's a diagnosis that, for many, they don't actually know why it has arisen, because we know that most people don't realise that there is a connection between alcohol consumption, even at relatively low levels, and cancer." Ms Gilheany said that health label requirements on alcohol would have an impact on people's lives and health. "There is evidence from around the world to say that informing people about this particular risk does have an impact on people's alcohol consumption. But not only that, it actually changes the conversation." She added that it was also about "changing the environment" for younger people who might not drink currently, but are considering it. "It sets the greater degree of public understanding." Ms Gilheany called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin, "who has a very proud and very good record on public health," to look at this matter.
The Journal
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Enterprise Minister slammed for requesting delay in introducing health labelling of alcohol
ALCOHOL ACTION IRELAND has said it is 'outrageous' that Enterprise Minister Peter Burke 'formally intervened' to request that the introduction of health warnings on alcohol bottles be delayed. It added that Burke used 'spurious industry misinformation as grounds for such a call'. In response to a question tabled by Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney, Burke said that he had asked Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to 'consider pausing' the introduction of health warning labels on alcohol. The labels were due to come into force from 22 May 2026 following the introduction of a law in 2023 by then Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. The law means the labels of alcohol products will state the calorie content and grams of alcohol in the product. They will also warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant and the risk of liver disease and fatal cancers from alcohol consumption. However, Tánaiste Simon Harris last month signalled that there would delay to the rollout over concerns about the global trade environment. In his written response to Gibney, Burke also referred to 'recent global economic uncertainty'. He added that Ireland should 'not take any steps that would erode the relative competitiveness of Ireland's enterprise base'. 'In order to navigate these uncertain times, it makes sense to focus on those factors which fall within our domestic sphere of control,' said Burke. He then revealed that he had recently penned correspondence to MacNeill 'expressing my concern that the proposed measures would mean increased production and sale costs for Irish producers and importers'. He added that the health labels could 'potentially add to the price payable by consumers at a time when prices are also rising due to a multitude of other factors'. 'Notwithstanding the overarching health benefits of the proposal, I requested my colleague to consider pausing the introduction of the proposed new requirements,' said Burke. He added that this would 'provide the opportunity to work with the Commission on progressing a harmonised set of EU-wide regulations and reinforce our approach of seeking to reduce regulatory fragmentation in the Internal Market'. However, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) said that the 'legal onus' will be on retailers, not producers or importers, to ensure products are labelled. 'A supermarket or off-licence can simply add a sticker to the product,' said AAI CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany. And while Burke said a pause would allow an opportunity to work with the EU Commission on a 'harmonised' set of EU-wide regulations, Gilheany said 'such a move has already been shot down due to intense industry lobbying'. 'There will be no harmonised EU labelling, rather, each country, Ireland included, must go it alone or have no warnings whatsoever,' said Gilheany. She added: 'AAI needs to ask is there anyone in government who is standing up for Department of Health policy?' Gilheany also said that Burke 'mentioned many red herrings as grounds for delaying labelling' and that it is 'crystal clear there will be no harmonised EU-wide labelling'. She added that the EU Commission has ruled that Ireland's labelling regulations would not constitute a barrier to trade or the single market. 'Ireland needs to be the standard-bearer for alcohol just like we were for smoking,' said Gilheany. 'Other countries are watching Ireland closely on alcohol labelling ready to follow our lead, just like they did with smoking.' She added that a delay to introducing labelling will have consequences and that it is 'unconscionable, but unsurprising, that the alcohol industry opposes health information labelling'. Gilheany added that many senior politicians are dealing with a serious issue in an unserious manner. 'Consciously spouting industry misinformation that puts a price on Irish lives is shameful,' she added. Meanwhile, Gilheany remarked that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is 'rightly held in the highest regard thanks to his leadership around Ireland's smoking regulations'. 'He knows all too well the power of industry lobbying having faced down the tobacco industry then. 'The eyes of the world are on Ireland again and AAI is strongly urging the Taoiseach to resist industry lobbying once more and proceed as planned with alcohol labelling's introduction in May 2026.' Advertisement Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
