08.01.2024 - Two years ago, Ingvild Kjerkol, then Minister of Health, tasked the Norwegian Directorate of Health with exploring the implementation of warning labels on alcohol. Yesterday, the proposed measures were presented, reports Actis on actis.no.
Increasing evidence highlights the harmful effects of alcohol consumption. Alcohol-related illnesses include heart disease, cancer, and liver disease. In Norway, alcohol is the fifth leading cause of death among men aged 15 to 49. Research indicates that even low alcohol intake increases the risk of cancer, with no safe consumption threshold. This formed the basis for the Directorate's 2022 proposal to introduce health warnings on alcohol products.
The Directorate has now revealed how the labeling could look in practice.
The proposal addresses alcohol's impact on sleep, dementia, and overall health, in addition to its links to heart disease, cancer, and liver conditions. The messages are presented in a neutral tone and accompanied by descriptive symbols.
One of the warnings reads, "Alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer." Another states, "Every glass you skip is good for your health."
"It looks promising" "This is what we've been waiting for," says Inger Lise Hansen, Secretary General of Actis. "The proposals are solid, but they could be even clearer, such as using contrasting colors for the symbols. Rotating the messages is a great idea. It sparks curiosity and provides people with better access to information, which increases the chances of reaching a wider audience. Of course, the effectiveness should be evaluated along the way to make necessary adjustments," she adds.
The Directorate informed Aftenposten that wine and beer sold in bars or restaurants, as well as vintage wines, will not be subject to labeling requirements.
Concerns about a lengthy process The Directorate anticipates resistance to the proposal, particularly regarding how it may affect the process moving forward.
Commenting on this, Hansen says: "The Ministry now has solid proposals on the table, and they must act swiftly to implement them without unnecessary delays. We’ve seen in other countries that the alcohol industry often opposes such measures, and we must not let that happen here."
She adds that the Ministry must also ensure that packaging includes content labeling in addition to health warnings.
"This is about giving people the opportunity to make informed health choices, and they have the right to know what they are consuming."
Source: Actis