Surgeon General Calls for Cancer Warning Labels on Alcohol

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has recommended that alcoholic beverages feature warning labels about their cancer risks, a move that could lead to stricter regulations similar to those applied to tobacco products.

According to Murthy’s office, alcohol consumption is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, trailing only tobacco and obesity.

Murthy highlighted that alcohol increases the risk of at least seven cancers, including those of the breast, colon, and liver, but noted that most Americans are unaware of these dangers.

He urged for a reassessment of alcohol consumption guidelines, encouraging people to consider cancer risks when deciding how much to drink.

Current US dietary recommendations suggest a maximum of two drinks per day for men and one for women.

Shares in major alcohol companies like Diageo, Pernod Ricard, and Heineken dropped following the announcement.

The council stressed that the existing warning labels already inform consumers of potential risks, and that no one should drink for health benefits.

While it remains uncertain if the Surgeon General’s recommendations will be adopted, the US president’s administration is nearing its end. The decision on updating labels will ultimately lie with Congress.

The current alcohol-related warning labels, introduced in 1988, primarily address pregnancy risks and impaired judgment.

However, analysts suggest that warning labels may not drastically alter alcohol consumption habits, noting that tobacco warning labels had limited impact on smoking behavior.

Alcohol sales in the US have been declining post-pandemic, with competition from cannabis and healthier alternatives, such as non-alcoholic beers, continuing to rise.

Public health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have placed increased focus on alcohol’s health risks, and some countries like Ireland have already introduced similar warning labels.

The Surgeon General’s report underscores the significant toll alcohol takes on public health, attributing over 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually to alcohol consumption in the US, surpassing even alcohol-related traffic fatalities.