US Surgeon General Calls for Cancer Warning Labels on Alcoholic Drinks

In a groundbreaking advisory released on Friday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy urged that alcoholic beverages should carry warning labels about the increased cancer risks associated with their consumption. The report highlights that alcohol intake is linked to a higher risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast, colon, liver, and others.

Murthy’s advisory calls for a reassessment of existing guidelines on alcohol consumption limits, urging people to consider cancer risks when deciding how much to drink. Currently, alcohol containers in the U.S. feature warnings about birth defects and the impairments caused by drinking and operating machinery. However, Murthy emphasizes that cancer risks, which alcohol contributes to, should also be clearly communicated to consumers.

The report notes that alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., following tobacco and obesity. It is responsible for an estimated 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually, surpassing the 13,500 deaths caused by alcohol-related traffic accidents. These statistics underline the significant health impact of alcohol, which has been linked to at least seven different types of cancer.

Shares of U.S.-listed alcoholic beverage companies saw a dip in premarket trading, with some makers experiencing a drop of 1% to 2%. Brown-Forman Corp, a major player in the industry, led the declines.

Currently, U.S. alcoholic beverages carry a health warning that advises pregnant women to avoid drinking, as well as cautioning against drinking before operating a vehicle or machinery. This warning has remained unchanged since its introduction in 1988. However, the Surgeon General’s latest advisory is calling for stronger measures to ensure consumers are fully aware of the risks associated with alcohol use, especially when it comes to cancer.

As the conversation around alcohol consumption and its health risks continues to evolve, this new advisory brings much-needed attention to the potential long-term effects on public health.