Calls on Government to not postpone alcohol deadline 

By Darren J. Prior 

Speaking to Dublin People Dr. Sheila Gilheany CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland said that “delay is a tactic” the alcohol industry are using in Ireland to hopefully, from their point of view, see plans for health labelling of Irish alcohol drink shelved. 

The world-leading Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 was enacted in 2018 and as part of the act from May of next year health labels and information are planned to come in on alcohol cans and bottles sold in Ireland. 

In recent weeks there have been reports that the Irish Government may be postponing the May 2026 deadline for international trade purposes. 

Dr. Gilheany told Dublin People that she does not know how a postponement of the measure will help Ireland in terms of international trade as this measure of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 only relates to alcohol drinks sold in Ireland and not exported. 

“This is being couched in relation to tariffs and that we have a changed trading environment and that we somehow have to give more support to the alcohol industry,” she said.

“We are campaigning strongly against this and it is not just us.

“Over 75 organisations and advocates right across the country have been writing to the Government on this particular issue.

“Multiple international groups have also done the same as well.  

“The arguments that are being put forward about this in relation to changes in trading environments these are the same arguments that have been made repeatedly by the alcohol industry throughout the long and detailed process that this legislation has already gone through”. 

Dr. Gilheany added: 

“The alcohol industry does not want consumers to know the risks from alcohol.

“They fear that it might actually reduce the level of consumption in the country and that is what it comes down to. 

“The Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2028 is there for a good reason”. 

Pointing out that a staggering fifteen babies are born every day with a Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder FASD and that three people are diagnosed with alcohol-related cancers every day in Ireland Dr. Gilheany said that these facts detract from the marketing of alcohol brands. 

 “A real big tactic within the alcohol industry is to say “Oh labelling is grand, it’s fine, just not yet. Put it on the long finger.” she said. 

 “Delay is a tactic of the industry.

“I really would say that there are senior Government figures who have fallen for the alcohol line on this”.