Cancer charity supports NI alcohol warning labels

The legal requirement for labels in the Republic of Ireland takes effect in 2026

Cancer warning labels on alcohol products should be introduced in Northern Ireland, according to a cancer charity.

From 2026, it will be a legal requirement for all bottles of alcohol in the Republic of Ireland to carry a label.

However, alcohol producers have expressed concern that the law could impact sales and add to their workload.

Cancer Focus NI has said a "bold" approach was needed by Stormont.

The new labels will warn of risks linked to drinking alcohol

“It’s causing a lot of concern” said Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the Irish Whiskey Association.

“To get the labels finalised and everything in order can take quite a long time.

"And some companies are finding it quite challenging that they'd have to have a separate line to produce a label just for the Republic of Ireland.”

Mr Ó Catháin is worried that warning labels could also have an impact on sales to the lucrative north American souvenir market.

“Lots of people want to take a present back with them to the US to Canada, wherever they're from.

"Will they pick up the bottle that has this very stark, very big warning label on it? Or will they prefer to pick up the Scotch?

"So there is concern there just from a pure reputation point of view as well.”

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland's Department of Health said there were no current plans to introduce such requirements on alcohol labelling.

"Given the nature of the market, it is likely that any such changes across the UK administrations would need to be discussed on a four nations basis," they added.

Michael Morris from Hinch Distillery is preparing new labels

'Clear link' between alcohol and cancer

Twenty years ago, Ireland was the first country to ban smoking in the workplace, including bars and restaurants.

Health campaigners hope more countries will follow the Republic's lead on alcohol health warnings too.

Doreen Regan from Cancer Focus NI would like to see a similarly "bold" step being taken in Northern Ireland.

Doreen Regan from Cancer Focus said the labels could help prevent cancers

“We know there’s a clear link between drinking alcohol and cancer," she said.

"It causes seven different types of cancer and the Northern Ireland cancer strategy states that it’s linked to at least 300 cases per year in Northern Ireland.

"So anything that’s going to help prevent that, or help empower people to make more informed choices, we would definitely be in support of."

'Talk about drinking sensibly'

Hinch Distillery in County Down has only been in operation for four years.

It exports to about 30 countries worldwide.

The firm's international sales director Michael Morris has concerns that producing the new labels could add extra work.

"We will have to see exactly what the strict standards are going to be," he explained.

"We'll run dummy labels and we’ll get them approved in the south.

Hinch Distillery is preparing for the new legislation

"That will be the normal process and then once we've got those labels approved, we would do a run of the labels based on projections of volume.

"We need to make sure we have enough stock with the correct labels."

Mr Morris also said he did not think warning labels were needed on alcohol bottles sold in Northern Ireland or other parts of the UK.

"Our view is that the sensible approach is to go with the government health warning - drink within the units and avoid session drinking."