Ireland has a strong drinking culture. Many people see alcohol as part of daily life and socialising. Pubs are important places where friends meet, listen to music, and enjoy drinks like Guinness and Jameson. Since 2020, alcohol is sold behind barriers in shops, and bottles carry strong health warnings about liver disease and cancer. These new warning labels, passed into law in 2023, are already on shelves and in pubs. However, the Irish government delayed making them compulsory until 2028. It cited concerns about world trade but critics say the drinks industry influenced this decision. Drinks Ireland, the industry body, called for more time and said labels should be set at the EU level. Young people in Ireland often start drinking early, sometimes at 14 or 15, with many beginning to drink in pubs by age 17. While alcohol use has fallen over 25 years, binge drinking and heavy consumption remain high, especially among 15-24-year-olds. Public health group Alcohol Action Ireland reports an increase in young drinkers and widespread binge drinking. Some young people, like Amanda and Sean in Dublin, say the warning labels won’t stop them. Amanda said, "You look at it and you're like, 'Oh, I just drank that. Should I drink another one?'" Some prefer to keep drinking controlled and limit themselves to a few drinks. Others, like Mark and Helen, are drinking less or avoiding alcohol completely to save money or for health reasons. Sam has been teetotal for three years after quitting drinking following concerns from his family. Yet, many find it hard to avoid alcohol in Ireland’s pub-centered culture. Jack, who often drinks six or more pints in a night, said, "Honestly, it's quite difficult to try and embark on the sober journey in Ireland - because it is intrinsically entwined into our culture." The Irish government told the BBC the delay on compulsory labels was due to global trading concerns. The alcohol debate continues as warnings try to shake a deep-rooted drinking lifestyle.