In two different parts of the world, there are contretemps unfolding that have alcohol at the centre. These are not the kinds of quarrels the average man in the street might have or overhear among a group of friends around a bottle-covered table at any of the many watering holes around the country. Much more complex, they involve big money and affect the global alcohol industry.
In Canada some 10,000 unionised workers of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) went on strike on July 5 for a number of reasons. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents the striking workers, is up in arms over licences being granted to convenience stores and supermarkets for liquor sales – particularly ready-mixed cocktails – which the union believes should remain exclusive to the LCBO. The other issues concern wages, benefits and job security. The union’s stance is that the last of the three would be directly affected by the liquor sales expansion, but the Ontario government has said that it is not prepared to overturn that plan.
Last year, Ireland’s Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations, which complete its Public Health (Alcohol) Act (2018) were finally officially signed. The regulations have a proviso that gives all vendors until May 2026 to have two warning labels on all bottles of liquor or face severe fines and penalties. Along with calorie and alcohol content, the words, “there is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers” and “drinking alcohol causes liver disease” must be displayed in red and in capital letters on all alcohol sold in Ireland, whether locally produced or imported.
This has been in the making for over ten years. According to a Guardian report, Ireland first began to move in this direction in 2012, and passed the Public Health (Alcohol) Act in 2018. Although that decision was backed by longitudinal scientific research that clearly established a link between alcohol consumption and many chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs), there was a lot of push back against both the Act and its labelling regulations.
Groups representing Irish breweries and distilleries as well as others in 11 European and North American countries had lobbied against the labelling requirement, going as far as the European Commission and the World Trade Organisation to protest that the labels were inaccurate, misleading and would infringe on international trade. Ireland stuck to its guns.
Let’s be clear, Ireland is neither the first nor the only country that has legislated warning labels on alcohol products. According to the World Health Organisation, globally, about 25% of countries have had this in place for years. However, there are two big differences between what Ireland has mandated and the others: language and placement. As a case in point, there are warning labels on alcohol produced and sold in the United States. However, they are nowhere near as specific as Ireland’s. Furthermore, they tend to be on the backs of bottles and cans and in fonts and colours that might not be noticed if one were not specifically looking for them.
As things stand now, punters are taking bets on whether the OPSEU will cave first as the Ontario government appears to be bullish on its liquor licence expansion. They are also waiting to see what cards the alcohol lobbyists will play next in their war with Ireland. Apparently, the signing into law of the regulations does not completely close the door and there are still moves that can be made.
Meanwhile, other countries – unfortunately ours is not among them – are paying attention particularly in view of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders, published late last month. According to the report, alcohol consumption is responsible for 2.6 million deaths a year and 400 million people are living with alcohol use disorders, including 209 million with alcohol dependence. Furthermore, in every country in the world where it has been successfully measured, government spending on the effects of alcohol consumption far exceeds total revenues garnered from the industry, including retail sales taxes.
As regards alcohol consumption and its links to CNCDs, it has been scientifically proven that it causes liver and heart disease and different types of cancer, including breast and colorectal. It also adversely affects mental health and is associated with depression and anxiety. In addition, alcohol use is inextricably associated with a high number of irreparable-injury and fatal road crashes. Alcohol use has also been found to be a driver of domestic violence and child abuse. Infrequent, but still relevant are the falls, drownings and suicides that occur when individuals are under the influence.
In the truncated list of ills noted above, the level of risk often depends on the amount and frequency of consumption. However, it is also well known that there are individuals who tend to be more susceptible to alcohol addiction as well as those who appear to be predisposed to falling ill owing to its consumption. While family history appears to play a part, so far, studies have been unable to pinpoint exactly why some people’s risk factors are higher than others. Therefore, the wisest action countries could take would be to protect all citizens.
As has been the case in Ireland, regulating alcohol will not win any popularity contests. What is commonly referred to as ‘having a drink’ is deeply entrenched in most cultures in the world; Muslim countries being the sole exceptions. From country to country, alcohol use runs the gamut of inclusion in food preparation; meal times; celebratory events, including rites of passage; traditional festivals; and religious ceremonies to name a few. Calls for some form of control in Guyana have been pointedly ignored by successive governments. Clearly popularity ranks above good health, curbing road crashes and stopping violence against women. Surely the time is long past to begin to build customs that exclude the use of lethal toxins.
As a known carcinogen and despite its destructive ability, alcohol continues to be a top of the table substance in use, acceptance and earning capacity. Hence the WHO’s global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and its consequent action plan have hardly gained any traction. Ireland, which is among the top 15 alcohol consuming countries in the world, is a standout for having taken the boldest step yet to protect the health of its population. Will it succeed and if it does, who’s next?
