An Examination of Support for More Diverse Alcohol Warning Labels (AWLs) in Ireland

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54103/2282-0930/28806

Keywords:

alcohol, alcohol control, alcohol warning labels, Ireland, graphic warning labels, bland packaging

Abstract

Alcohol poses a significant threat to public health in Ireland. In 2026, Ireland is due to introduce a mandatory alcohol warning label (AWL). Using a convenience sample of students and staff at an Irish Technological University (TU), this research sought to explore support for current and potentially expanded alcohol control measures. Online survey data was collected from 335 participants. Analysis revealed a very high level of support for the forthcoming introduction of Ireland’s AWL. Additionally, there was considerable support for a broader range of AWLs. More than half of the respondents supported the introduction of bland packaging on alcohol containers, and over 60% supported the introduction of more explicit tobacco-style graphic warnings on alcohol. Over 40% of respondents reported that AWLs would impact their intention to consume alcohol.

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Author Biographies

Jennifer Moran Stritch, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest

Jennifer is the PI of the Loss and Grief Research Centre at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Limerick, Ireland. She is a Social Worker by training and is heavily involved in community groups in the region. Her research interests focus on various forms of grief and loss, as well as alcohol control and alcohol marketing.

Anne Campbell, Queen's University Belfast

Prof. Anne Campbell MBE, is the subject lead of social work at Queen’s University of Belfast (QUB). She is the Programme Director of the Master's in Substance Use and Co-Director of the Drug and Alcohol Network at QUB, DARN. Anne is a member of UK government's ACMD and Chair of ACMD Recovery and Treatment Committee. She is also Deputy Chair  of NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration.

Gillian Shorter, Queen's University Belfast

Dr Gillian Shorter is a Reader in psychology at Queen’s University of Belfast (QUB). She is the Course Director of the MSc in Clinical Health Psychology. Her work aims to improve the health and well-being of people who use alcohol and drugs who are not currently seeking treatment. Her research aims to reduce stigma and empower change. Gillian's research has been supported by over 6 million GBP equivalent in research funding. Current funders are the National Institute for Health Research, Health Service Executive (Ireland), Health Research Board (Ireland), the Higher Education Authority (Ireland), Forte (Sweden), Cancerfonden (Sweden), Australian Research Council (Australia), and Drug Science (UK).

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Published

2025-05-13

How to Cite

1.
Houghton F, Moran Stritch J, Campbell A, Shorter G. An Examination of Support for More Diverse Alcohol Warning Labels (AWLs) in Ireland. ebph [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Feb. 4];20(1). Available from: https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/ebph/article/view/28806

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Original articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Frank Houghton, Jennifer Moran Stritch, Anne Campbell, Gillian Shorter

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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