‘Smoking reduces fertility’ and ‘Smoking clogs your arteries’ are some of the warnings that appear on cigarette packs to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco and to discourage smoking. If it is up to Ireland, there will also be warning labels on beer and wine. And that does not go down well with Italian and French winegrowers.
According to French and Italian winegrowers, wine is being criminalised. Health scientists do see a lot in the plan, as reported RTLNews.
Dangers of alcohol
In nine European countries it is mandatory to list ingredients on alcoholic beverages. In four countries, it is mandatory to list health information and warnings. The Irish now wants to go a step further, by warning more emphatically about the dangers of alcohol in addition to product and health information. Particular attention will be paid to the increased risk of cancer. Ireland requested permission from the European Commission last year, which has no objections, which means that Dublin can continue with the plan.
Self-regulation
Italian farmers fear that other countries will follow Ireland’s example and that soon all bottles of wine will be full of warnings. The farmers speak of ‘an attack on Italy’ because the country is the main producer and exporter of wine.
In the Netherlands there are as yet no plans to adjust the current policy and self-regulation is the main focus. The Health Council advises not to drink alcohol or in any case not to drink more than one glass a day.