Labels will now warn of the calorie content, grams of alcohol and health risks of alcohol products.  

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has signed the the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023 and the remaining provisions of Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act into law.  

These regulations will introduce health labelling on all alcohol products sold in Ireland. Health information will also be provided to customers in licensed premises. 

Labels will warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant and will also warn of the risk of liver disease and fatal cancers from alcohol consumption. 

The labels will direct the consumer to the HSE website Ask About Alcohol for further information. 

There is a three-year lead-in time built into the law, to give businesses enough time to prepare for the change, and it will take effect from the May 22nd, 2026.

An example of the proposed warning label to be put on alcohol products. Picture by: CEEV

Mr Donnelly said, “I welcome that we are the first country in the world to take this step and introduce comprehensive health labelling of alcohol products.” 

“This law is designed to give all of us as consumers a better understanding of the alcohol content and health risks associated with consuming alcohol.”

He said the regulations bring alcohol products in line with health information and warnings on other food and drink products.

"I look forward to other countries following our example," he said.

Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Hildegarde Naughton everyone has a right to be informed about the risks of a product before they consume it.  

“The medical evidence is clear that a cancer risk applies even at lower levels of alcohol consumption,” she said.  

Health risks

A national survey by Healthy Ireland found that “significant numbers” of Irish consumers are unaware of the health risks of alcohol consumption. 

Some 79% were unaware of the risk of breast cancer associated with drinking more than the recommended amounts and 60% were unaware of the bowel cancer risk. 

When asked about the risks of consuming alcohol when pregnant, 7% of respondents believed it to be safe and 9% did not know. 

Those aged between 15 and 24 were typically less aware of the risk associated with heavy drinking than other age groups.