EASL Calls on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to Defend Alcohol Labelling Regulations and Put Public Health First
For immediate release
(Geneva, 10 April 2025) The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) is calling on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to its world-leading alcohol labelling regulations and to reject calls for any further examination or delay of their implementation, currently scheduled for May 2026.
In a letter sent to the Taoiseach this week, EASL expressed deep concern over recent comments by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and lobbying efforts from the alcohol industry—particularly through IBEC and Drinks Ireland—aimed at postponing or weakening the Public Health Alcohol Labelling Regulations of 2023.
“These modest but essential regulations are about giving consumers the right to know the facts,” said Aleksander Krag, EASL Secretary General. “Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, just like tobacco, and is directly linked to liver disease and multiple cancers. Suggesting that warning labels are disproportionate ignores the scientific consensus and the significant human and economic cost of alcohol harm.”
EASL, the leading European liver health medical association, points to clear evidence: even light alcohol consumption increases the risk of several types of cancer. In Ireland, alcohol causes approximately 1,000 cancer cases and 1,500 deaths each year. Liver disease rates have steadily increased over the past two decades.
Alcohol costs the Irish health service around 11% of its total budget. According to the World Health Organization, the broader annual cost to the Irish state—including healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity—is €12 billion. In contrast, alcohol excise duties bring in just €1.2 billion annually.
A Proud Legacy of Public Health Leadership
Ireland has a proud and deserved reputation as a pioneer in public health policy. The introduction of smoke-free legislation in 2004, under the Taoiseach’s leadership at the Department of Health, was a turning point not only for Ireland, but globally. That landmark measure helped ignite a worldwide movement in tobacco control and demonstrated that bold public health policy is both possible and effective.
Today, Ireland stands at another pivotal moment. By fully implementing comprehensive alcohol labelling, Ireland once again has the opportunity to lead—this time by providing consumers with vital, evidence-based information about the health risks of alcohol, including cancer and liver disease.
“The world is watching Ireland,” said Aleksander Krag, EASL Secretary General “Just as it did in 2004, when Ireland became the first country to ban smoking in the workplace, global public health leaders are paying close attention to these pioneering alcohol labelling measures. This is a moment for courage, clarity, and continued leadership.”
Myths About Trade Must Not Derail Progress
EASL also refuted industry claims that the labelling regulations would impact Irish exports. These labelling regulations apply only to products sold in Ireland. Retailers, not exporters, are responsible for ensuring compliance, which can be achieved through simple stick-on labels. Attempts to link these public health rules to global trade issues such as recent U.S. tariffs are misleading and disingenuous.
The regulations, passed into law in 2018 after extensive parliamentary debate, have strong public support, with over 70% of the Irish public in favour of alcohol health warnings. They have been endorsed by public health organisations across Europe and defended by the European Commission at the World Trade Organization as a proportionate response to a national health crisis.
EASL Urges Irish Government to Stay the Course
EASL joins Alcohol Action Ireland and over 80 civil society and health organisations across Europe in calling on the Taoiseach and the Irish Government to stand firm against pressure from vested interests and prioritise the health and wellbeing of the Irish people.
“This is not only about liver disease or cancer—this is about people’s right to know what they’re consuming,” said Prof Frank Murray, Chair Alcohol Action Ireland and EASL Policy, Public Health & Advocacy Committee member “Ireland has always led with vision and resolve. We urge the Taoiseach to do so again.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver) is a leading medical association focused on advancing liver research and improving treatment and prevention of liver disease.
For more information, media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Irene Mosqueira
+32499482263
irenemosqueira@easloffice.eu