**Surgeon General Advocates for Alcohol Warning Labels Amid Cancer Links**

**The US Surgeon General has proposed new warnings on alcoholic beverages to reflect their potential cancer risks, following revelations that consumption is linked to seven cancer types.**

The U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has initiated a call for warning labels on alcoholic drinks, similar to those mandated for tobacco products, after recent studies have demonstrated a direct correlation between alcohol consumption and seven different cancer types. He noted that a significant portion of the American population is unaware of the cancer risks associated with alcohol, which accounts for approximately 100,000 cancer instances and 20,000 fatalities each year in the country.

Murthy emphasized that under current regulations enacted in 1988, warning labels do not reflect these serious health risks. To implement changes, Congress would need to take action. He also urged a reconsideration of the advised limits on alcohol intake and greater public education on the connection between alcohol and cancer.

Alcohol has been identified as the third leading preventable cause of cancer, surpassed only by tobacco use and obesity. Murthy stated that the risk applies universally, regardless of the type of alcohol—whether it be beer, wine, or spirits. Specific malignancies noted include breast cancer in women, as well as cancers of the throat, liver, esophagus, mouth, larynx, and colon.

In light of these findings, the report advises healthcare providers to initiate discussions about alcohol use and potentially refer patients for treatment. The current labels on alcohol primarily warn pregnant women against drinking due to the risk of birth defects, as well as the dangers of impaired driving.

Globally, there is a growing trend towards adopting health warning labels for alcohol products. The World Health Organization reported that the number of countries enforcing such warnings rose from 31 to 47 between 2014 and 2018. Notably, Ireland has become the first nation to make it compulsory for all alcoholic beverages to carry cancer-related warnings starting in 2026. South Korea has also established requirements for specific cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks.

In the U.S., legislative approval is necessary to integrate the Surgeon General's recommendations into law, and it remains uncertain whether the new administration will back such amendments. Several other countries, like Canada, have already revised their alcohol consumption guidelines significantly, suggesting that no amount of alcohol is devoid of risk. For instance, Canada now advises a maximum of two weekly drinks, a dramatic reduction from previous recommendations.

Following the announcement of this advisory, shares of major United States alcohol companies, including Diageo, experienced a decline of up to 4%. This reflects the potential impact of increased health scrutiny on the alcohol industry amid growing evidence of its dangers.