Cancer warnings look set to be placed on alcohol products under new legislation.
The Minister for Health Simon Harris looks set to put forward the proposal as part of the Public Health Alcohol Bill.
Harris, however, also noted that this cancer warning might be difficult legislation to introduce due to EU rules.
The Minister has been vocal about his desire to highlight the link between alcohol and cancer.
Let’s finally pass Public Health Alcohol Bill through Dáil. This is landmark legislation. Determined to get it done. Clear link exists between cancer & alcohol. Only question is best way to highlight this-regulations or primary legislation. Looking forward to teasing this through
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) September 24, 2018
12 TDs — four from Fine Gael, four from Fianna Fáil and four Independents — objected to Harris’ plans to introduce a cancer warning.
In recent days, there have been reports that Minister Harris was considering dropping the proposal from the Public Health Alcohol Bill, but this doesn’t appear to be the case.
However, an exemption for duty-free shops is expected to be allowed.
“The Minister has considered the wide range of views expressed in recent days and concluded that this should be achieved through primary legislation,” a spokesperson said.
Minimum unit pricing, the regulation of certain alcohol advertisements and the separation of alcohol products from other items in shops are also expected to be proposed.
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