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U.S. Surgeon General Urges Cancer Warnings on Alcohol Labels, Citing Third Leading Cause of Cancer

Jan 9, 2025, 03:12 PM

The U.S. Surgeon General has issued an advisory linking alcohol consumption to an increased risk of cancer, recommending that alcohol labels carry warnings about this risk. The advisory, released on January 3, identifies alcohol as the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States. It suggests updating the mandatory 'Government Warning' statement on alcohol beverages, which has been in place since 1988, to include information on the cancer risk. Currently, the warning addresses risks to pregnant women and the potential for alcohol to impair driving and cause health problems. The advisory also notes that 47 countries globally require alcohol warning labels related to health and safety, with South Korea currently requiring a cancer-specific warning, and Ireland set to implement a similar warning starting in 2026. The implementation of such a change in the U.S. would require congressional action.