Poll: Do you think it's a good idea to have health warnings on alcohol?
Advocates say it will reduce consumption. Small firms argue it could prove detrimental for their business.
THE DRINKS INDUSTRY has been rallying against a new Bill that will lead to the introduction of mandatory health warning labels on alcohol.
The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is currently shuttling its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
If passed, the legislation will bring a number of changes for drinks producers, including new tobacco-style labelling laws.
As well as getting the thumbs up from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the Bill has been backed by a number of health advocates who believe it will help reduce alcohol consumption in Ireland.
The drinks sector, strongly opposed to the legislation, thinks the proposed labelling rule could prove detrimental for small businesses: Patrick Rigney of The Shed Distillery branded the measure “extreme” and “very costly”.
Others are not quite convinced. DIT lecturer Damien O’Reilly said there’s little evidence that labelling will have a major impact on business overall.
With that in mind, we’re asking Fora readers this week: Do you think it’s a good idea to have health warnings on alcohol?
