The Irish government is allegedly planning to introduce a new warning label on alcohol which would work to deter people from binging on the substance.
According to a report in the Irish Times, officials want to highlight the link between cancer and alcohol consumption - and it’s not going down well with some.
The Italian foreign minister has hit out publicly at plans to place the cancer warning on bottles of wine in Ireland and says it is a dangerous example to set within the EU.
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The major wine-producing country is among other industry groups condemning the move due to fears of the effect on future sales.
Speaking to journalists in Brussels on Monday, Italy’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Antonio Tajani said: “There is an attack on the Mediterranean diet, which is a fundamental part of our economy.
“It is also part of our identity. Our identity cannot be perverted... there is a right to defend our economic system”.
Mr Tajani said he had made Italy's upset over the potential labelling system clear to Irish government figures and has since had conversations with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin.
“I explained to him how dangerous the message is that comes from Dublin,” he said.
“I also reiterated that a glass of red wine, all the doctors say is also good for the heart, so it is doubtful that it can also be bad for you”.
Meanwhile, according to cancer.ie, “All types of alcohol increase the risk of cancer, including red wine. It is the alcohol itself that does the damage. It does not matter if it is in the form of beer, wine or spirits”.
You can reduce your chance of getting cancer if you avoid alcohol or only drink a small amount. However, even a small amount of alcohol can increase your risk.
Alcohol is a known cause of cancers of the mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), oesophagus (foodpipe), breast, liver, and bowel.
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