US Surgeon General Calls for Alcohol Risk Warnings, Linking Drinks to Cancer

TDT | Agencies

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America's leading health official is urging the implementation of risk warnings on alcoholic beverages, similar to those found on cigarette packaging after new research revealed a connection between alcohol consumption and seven types of cancer.

In an advisory, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy emphasized that most Americans are unaware of this significant risk, which contributes to approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths each year in the United States.

To enact such a change, Congress would need to pass legislation, as the current warning labels have remained unchanged since 1988.

Murthy also called for a reevaluation of the recommended alcohol consumption limits and the expansion of educational efforts regarding the link between alcohol and cancer. He highlighted that alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer, following tobacco use and obesity.

“The direct connection between alcohol and cancer is well-documented across at least seven types of cancer, regardless of the alcohol consumed—whether beer, wine, or spirits,” Murthy stated. These cancers include those of the breast (in women), liver, mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, and colon.

The new report also suggests that healthcare providers should encourage alcohol screenings and, when necessary, refer individuals for treatment. It also recommends broader efforts to raise awareness among the public.

Currently, alcohol labels must warn pregnant women about the risks of drinking, including potential birth defects, and remind consumers that alcohol impairs driving and may cause other health issues.

Following Murthy's announcement, the stock prices of US-listed alcohol companies, including Diageo, the world's largest spirits producer, saw a decline of up to 4%.