Best time to introduce alcohol health warnings is today
For me the best time to introduce health warnings on alcohol products is today; the second best time was, perhaps, 33 years ago.
I am aware that the introduction of health warning labels on alcohol products may not prevent alcohol becoming the most important part of someone's life, yet it might help to prevent a poor relationship with alcohol from starting. Just as speed limit signs encourage safer driving, yet not everyone obeys the speed limits.
Some things in life are constant like sunrise and the harm caused by alcohol, while other things in life are temporary like storm clouds and tariffs.
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Pausing the introduction of health warning labels saves no lives. – Yours, etc,
DERMOT O'ROURKE,
Lucan,
Dublin.
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Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
EY Entrepreneur of the Year profiles: From wellness and hair taming to organic bread baking
Laura Dowling, FabÜ Laura Dowling, founder of fabÜ Laura Dowling is the founder of FabÜ, which is an Irish wellness brand specialising in scientifically formulated supplements that blend plants, including herbs, and mushrooms with essential vitamins and minerals. It launched in 2022 and is available in more than 1,500 pharmacies and health-food stores across Ireland, as well as online. A graduate of the Trinity College Dublin School of Pharmacy, Dowling has more than 350,000 followers on social media. What vision/light-bulb moment prompted you to start up in business? I identified a gap in the market for scientifically grounded supplements, rather than those based on hype. That's why I developed FabÜ – natural, effective products that support long-term health. So many women also struggle with incontinence, vaginal, sexual, and hormonal issues. They don't know who to turn to for help. They often feel ignored or fobbed off. That's what led me to create my sell-out Viva La Vulva shows. READ MORE Describe your business model and what makes your business unique. FabÜ combines scientific formulations with relatable education. We create targeted supplements based on research, sell through over 1,500 retailers and online, and connect with consumers through trusted digital content. Our blend of science, pharmacist-led insight, and authentic wellness advocacy sets us apart in a crowded space. What is your greatest business achievement to date? Building FabÜ into one of Ireland's fastest-growing wellness brands in just three years. The incredible feedback and word-of-mouth recommendations from Irish women has led to multi-award recognition and distribution in over 1,500 stores nationwide. Multiple sell-out shows in the National Concert Hall with my Viva La Vulva tour, and recently being named Ireland's Pharmacist of the Year have also been proud milestones. What was your back-to-the-wall moment and how did you overcome it? I initially attempted to launch over a decade ago, but as a young mother with a full-time pharmacy job, I struggled to make it work. I lacked financial know-how and time. In 2022, I tried again – this time building the right team around me. Knowing my blind spots made all the difference. [ EY Entrepreneur of the Year profiles: From aviation finance software to changing private dermatology Opens in new window ] What moment/deal would you cite as the game changer or turning point for the company? Securing national pharmacy distribution early on was pivotal. It validated our product credibility and scaled awareness rapidly. That visibility, combined with a strong digital presence, created a flywheel effect that continues to propel FabÜ. What were the best and the worst pieces of advice you received when starting out? Best advice? 'Launch, then learn.' My first attempt didn't work – but the feedback it gave me was gold. Iteration is how great businesses are built. The worst: 'Don't mix personal brand with business.' In reality, my authenticity has been a key driver of FabÜ's success; people connect with individuals, not just products. To what extent does your business trade internationally and what are your future plans/ambitions? We currently focus on Ireland but are laying groundwork for expansion into the UK and Europe. International demand is growing through our online store, and global retail partnerships are part of our future roadmap. How will your market look in three years and where would you like your business to be? Consumers will demand transparency and science-backed solutions. I envision FabÜ leading this evolution with a deeper reach into Europe, an expanded product range and a stronger voice in shaping meaningful wellness conversations. What are you doing to disrupt, innovate and improve the products or services you offer? Every FabÜ blend is grounded in research and innovation. 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Its product range is sold in Brown Thomas, Arnotts, 72 Peter Mark salons, and on board 432 global Aer Lingus routes. What vision/light-bulb moment prompted you to start up in business? I had two business ideas before that I did not pursue, and I regretted it. So when I saw the gap in the market for a product like the Smooth Stick I knew I had to take the plunge. Like many people, I have always suffered with frizzy, stray hairs and I saw a common trend on social media of people dipping their toothbrush into gel to try to keep their hair in place, or else spraying loads of hairspray which leaves your hair hard or greasy. I wanted to create an easy to use solution to this that was kind and nourishing to your hair and was a brush out formula. After two years of formulating, the Smooth Stick was born. Describe your business model and what makes your business unique. The Smooth Company has been self-funded from day one. 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We are focused on scaling through strategic partnerships rather than equity investment. We plan to bootstrap the business for as long as we can. What makes your company a good place to work? Our company excels in offering a flexible and inclusive work environment where employees manage their working hours and locations, fostering a trust-based culture. In contrast to typical corporate structures, we do not enforce a fixed 'back to office' policy, allowing our team the freedom to excel independently. Annual leave is exclusively for holidays, with unlimited personal time off for health, childcare and other commitments. What impact have Donald Trump's tariffs had on your business? How has this affected your view of the United States as a place in which to invest? We anticipated the tariffs and took strategic actions. 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Irish Times
2 hours ago
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Teen who left care and lost follow-on housing tried to take their own life, court hears
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Irish Times
19 hours ago
- Irish Times
All patients in Listeriosis outbreak are older people, says regulator
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