Starting this September, the public health law amended in March will require all alcoholic beverages to carry a label that warns of the increased chance of liver-related ailments and additional serious side effects for pregnant women and teenagers. (image credit: Kobiz Media/Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, May 19 (Korea Bizwire) – Health warnings on alcohol labels are scheduled to change for the first time in 21 years starting in September, officials said on Thursday.
The warnings will highlight the health risks to pregnant women and youth, and the government plans to further raise the severity of the warnings through follow-up revisions such as specifying the kinds of illnesses that can be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol.
Starting this September, the public health law amended in March will require all alcoholic beverages to carry a label that warns of the increased chance of liver-related ailments and additional serious side effects for pregnant women and teenagers (such as birth defects and brain damage), and the dangers of driving under the influence.
Manufacturers can choose from three types of labels, each highlighting different hazards. Current labels only advise that drinking alcohol is harmful to one’s health. Warnings may be placed in alcoholic beverage advertisements on TV and print ads as well, an idea suggested during the government’s 2016 to 2020 public health policy announced in February.
In addition, a state committee earlier this month decided to make tobacco companies place graphic warnings against smoking on the upper part of cigarette packs to make them more visible and striking.
By M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
