The U.S. Surgeon General has published an Advisory report on alcohol and cancer, calling for warning labels to be updated on alcoholic products to include a cancer warning.
As the BBC explains, the advisory from Dr Vivek Murthy says the “majority of Americans are unaware of this risk” that alcohol leads to 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 deaths annually in the US.
Dr Murthy also called for the drinking guidelines in the US to be reassessed to account for new evidence on alcohol and cancer. By the end of 2025, the US will publish new guidelines.
The existing labels have not been changed since 1988 and would require an act of Congress. Speaking to ABC News, Dr Murthy said he is very happy to work with President-elect Donald Trump and his new administration:
Currently, labels in the US warn against drinking when pregnant, driving, operating machinery, and state that drinking “may cause health problems”.
South Korea is the only country in the world that has cancer warnings on alcohol labels, and Ireland will follow suit soon, adding comprehensive warnings which will also warn that alcohol causes liver disease. An example label is below:
For more information on how alcohol causes cancer, the increase in risk, and how to reduce your risk, watch our film here: