Cheers to Surgeon General’s Plan for Cancer Warning Labels on Alcohol

The Health Risks of Moderate Drinking

A recent study published in The Lancet medical journal suggested that a small amount of red wine can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes for people over 40. However, just a few months later, the World Health Organization issued a statement declaring that “when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health.” Research on the health effects of moderate drinking has been confusing, with some findings being flawed and not telling the full story.

The Cancer Connection

Despite the mixed messages, there is no question that risks exist, and evidence points to alcohol’s benefits. A national report recently linked moderate drinking to a lower risk of death from any cause and a lower risk of death from heart disease, but also connected it to an increased risk of breast cancer. Moreover, there is a well-established correlation between alcohol and at least six other types of cancer, including cancers of the colorectum, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat, and voice box (larynx).

Public Awareness and Education

Most Americans know that smoking tobacco can lead to cancer, but fewer than 50% know that all alcoholic drinks, including red wine, are linked with cancer, according to a 2023 study by the National Institutes of Health. Even more sobering, roughly 10% of the study’s participants believed that drinking wine actually decreases cancer risk. When most of the public is that ignorant about the potential hazard, Congress should seriously consider U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s recommendation to place cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages.

International Comparisons

Many countries are already taking steps to inform their citizens about the health risks associated with alcohol consumption. Ireland will become the first country to require cancer warning labels on alcohol next year, while South Korea mandates that alcohol manufacturers choose one of three messages on their warning labels, two of which mention cancer. There has also been a push for similar measures in Canada and Thailand. A European study concluded that health warnings are an effective policy option to increase knowledge of alcohol causing cancer, and that most participants welcomed the written guidance on the bottles and cans.

Cancer Warning Labels: A Logical and Responsible Step

Alcoholic drinks already list the dangers of drinking while pregnant, while driving, and other risks. Adding cancer to that messaging is the logical and responsible step to take, since alcohol consumption is the “third leading preventable cause of cancer, after tobacco and obesity,” as Murthy said in his latest health advisory. That equates to 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths in the United States each year, the country’s top physician said.

Conclusion

The U.S. Surgeon General’s proposal to place cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages is a crucial step towards informing the public about the health risks associated with moderate drinking. By acknowledging the cancer connection, we can encourage responsible drinking habits and reduce the number of cancer cases and deaths attributed to alcohol consumption.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the U.S. Surgeon General’s proposal to place cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages?
A: The proposal aims to inform the public about the health risks associated with moderate drinking, including the increased risk of cancer.

Q: How many cancer cases and deaths are attributed to alcohol consumption in the United States each year?
A: According to the U.S. Surgeon General, alcohol consumption is the “third leading preventable cause of cancer, after tobacco and obesity,” resulting in 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths annually.

Q: Are there other countries that have implemented cancer warning labels on alcohol?
A: Yes, Ireland will become the first country to require cancer warning labels on alcohol next year, while South Korea mandates that alcohol manufacturers choose one of three messages on their warning labels, two of which mention cancer.