Through industry documents and freedom of information requests in Ireland and Brussels, the project exposes a coordinated campaign by alcohol producers and lobby groups to block or dilute new health labelling rules. When Ireland proposed to become the first EU country to introduce cigarette-style cancer warnings on alcohol, the industry reacted with intense pressure.
Behind the scenes, the same tactics once used by the tobacco industry reappeared. Industry representatives questioned well-established scientific evidence linking alcohol to cancer. While resisting health warning labels, alcohol companies promoted QR codes that few consumers ever scan for health information.
This investigation shows how one of Europe’s most influential industries continues to shape public health policy from Dublin to Brussels. It reveals a persistent effort to protect commercial interests at the expense of consumer information and to ensure that what’s on the label says less than what people have the right to know.
Irene van den Berg en Vincent Harmsen conducted this investigation on behalf of and under the direction of The Investigative Desk, in collaboration with Follow the Money, Maria Delaney and Patricia Devlin at The Journal.
Image: © The Journal Investigates
