Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, America’s top medical officer, has recommended that alcohol bottles be labeled with health warnings like cigarettes to make people aware of the cancer risk caused by alcohol.
According to the Surgeon General’s report, alcohol causes 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths each year in the United States. But most Americans are unaware of this risk.
Currently, alcohol labels contain messages for pregnant women to avoid drinking and that alcohol impairs driving ability. However, these labels have not changed since 1988. New warnings would require legislation from the US Congress.
New Evidence on Cancer Risk and Alcoholism:
According to Surgeon General Murthy, alcoholism is the third largest preventable cause of cancer, after tobacco and obesity. A direct association of alcohol with cancer has been proven for seven types of cancer including breast cancer (in women), throat, liver, esophagus, mouth, larynx, and colon.
According to the report, the type of alcohol consumed (beer, wine or spirits) does not affect the risk of cancer.
Recommendations:
Drinking limits and awareness :
Murthy also recommends rethinking drinking limits. Currently in the US, the limit is two glasses for men and one for women. Canada recently recommended drinking only two glasses a week.
The report also states that healthcare providers should guide patients for alcohol screening and treatment where necessary and increase public awareness campaigns.
Policies in other countries:
According to a 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) report, 47 countries have mandated health warnings on alcohol, up from just 31 in 2014.
Ireland is the first country to mandate labels showing the direct link between alcohol and cancer. From 2026, all alcohol bottles in Ireland will be required by law to carry this warning. Cancer warnings are also required in South Korea.
Barriers to change in America:
Congress needs to legislate for a new label in the US. But it is unclear whether the current administration will support the change.
Financial results:
Share prices of US brewers fell as much as 4% following the announcement.
Footnote:
Alcoholism is an important cause of cancer. It is necessary to increase the awareness of this danger among the people and take precautionary measures.
