New health labels for alcohol, which were to include cancer warnings, were due to take effect in May 2026. Photograph: iStockConcerns about a delay in bringing in health warning labels on alcohol products prompted temperance organisations in 11 other countries to contact the Government. Now records released under the Freedom of Information Act show that indications the Government was set to delay the health labels led to concern among non-governmental organisations in several other countries. In response, the Government said the decision to delay health labelling until September 2028 “followed concerns raised about the impact of their implementation in the current global trading environment”. Alcohol Change Australia expressed a hope that Ireland bringing in health labelling would set “a strong example for other countries to adopt, including Australia”.

Source: The Irish Times January 16, 2026 20:01 UTC