18 October 2005
HEALTH WARNING LABELS ... not the way to go
Mr Gordon Broderick, Executive Director of the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia (DSICA) has rejected calls to place health warning labels on alcoholic beverages.
“DSICA’s opposition is based on several grounds”, said Mr Broderick. “First, there is next to no evidence to indicate that warning labels on alcohol products actually produces a positive change in drinking behaviour or reduces alcohol-related harm.
“Second, health warning labels are not the most appropriate way of informing consumers about the health risks associated with alcohol misuse. DSICA has long been of the view that carefully targeted public information and education campaigns can be very effective means of combating alcohol misuse.
“Finally, it is accepted that there are health benefits from low to moderate consumption of alcohol, and that warnings similar to warnings on cigarette packets are therefore not appropriate.”
“DSICA is pleased that the Commonwealth Government is also of this view”, said Mr Broderick. Yesterday the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Aging, said that health warnings were an old idea and that the government does not support them.
The issue of warning labels on alcohol products was thoroughly examined a few years ago by the government body responsible for regulating labelling. An application for warning labels to be placed on alcohol products was rejected for a number of reasons, but mainly because there was little scientific evidence to show that health warnings lead to positive changes in behaviour.
DSICA has been proactive in the area of drinks labelling. Earlier this year its members introduced a standard drinks symbol on its beverages to better inform consumers of the alcohol content of beverages (see symbol below).
“This symbol is highly visible and should have a far more positive effect on health outcomes than warning labels could produce”, said Mr Broderick.
Media enquiries: Peter Phillips, Policy Manager on (03) 9696 4466
or 0408 372 496
