Alcoholic drinks will soon have health warning labels
Consumer warnings will soon be on the most popular beers, wine and spirits under a voluntary industry scheme.
DrinkWise Australia, a liquor industry funded organization will officially launch today a campaign that will introduce warning labels on alcoholic beverages about the dangers of drinking excessively and drinking while pregnant or underage.
"There is some evidence overseas that labelling alone won't change everything, it needs education as well so that is why we are trying to bring the two together and bring people onto the website," DrinkWise Australia chair Trish Worth said.
Messages like 'It is safest not to drink while pregnant' and 'Kids and alcohol don't mix' will be featured on the labels as well as the link to the DrinkWise website.
Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg believes the campaign is a step in the right direction but questions whether DrinkWise should have consulted other health officials before implementing the scheme.
"I think what the industry are worried about is that the government might bring in more stringent, tougher labelling and might make them put them on all their advertisements as well," he said in a report in the Herald Sun.
"Now, I'm not opposed to what DrinkWise does - I think some of the stuff they do is very good - but a cynic would suggest they're just trying to thwart tougher regulations."
The program is intended to change the nation's drinking culture and is largely an educational effort. 80 percent of all alcohol sold in Australia will soon have the health labels, including all Coles and Woolworths private brands.