US Chief Medical Officer Vivek Murthy has called for warnings about the risk of cancer to be displayed on alcohol drink labels, in a move that could signal stricter regulation of the industry, similar to that applied to tobacco products, Reuters writes on Friday.
Murthy pointed out that alcohol increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colon and liver, but many Americans are unaware of these dangers.
According to his report, alcohol consumption is the third leading cause of cancer in the US, after tobacco and obesity, and regardless of the type of drink consumed, the risk remains high. The proposal caused falls in the shares of major alcohol producers such as Diageo and Heineken, which saw losses of more than 3% on the stock market.
The labels will not immediately affect the alcohol industry
The final decision on whether to update the labels rests with Congress, but changes could be delayed due to the political transition, with the Biden administration being replaced by President-elect Donald Trump’s team.
The new Surgeon General (Director General for Public Health) could be Janette Nesheiwat, who has a more conservative approach to regulation.
Analysts warn that while the labels will not immediately affect the alcohol industry, they will contribute to long-term threats to sales. In the US, the alcohol market has declined after a post-pandemic boom, and younger consumers are gradually adopting alternatives such as soft drinks and cannabis.
In this context, companies have intensified lobbying to maintain favorable guidelines. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, a position that has sparked heated debate.
Alcohol causes 100,000 cases of cancer in the US every year
Murthy pointed out that alcohol causes 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 related deaths annually in the US, exceeding the number of victims of alcohol-related traffic accidents.
In contrast, the Distilled Spirits Council of the USA (DISCUS) argues that moderate consumption can have health benefits, but stresses that no one should drink alcohol for this purpose. Current labels, introduced in 1988, only warn of risks during pregnancy and impaired concentration, written in small print on the back of the pack.
Countries such as Ireland have already adopted detailed warning labels, and the US could follow suit with the revision of dietary guidelines in 2025. In parallel, drinks makers such as Heineken are seeing a rise in sales of alcohol-free products such as Heineken 0.0 , which reported double-digit growth in several markets.
Murthy’s proposal calls into question the regulatory model applied to tobacco, beginning with the landmark 1964 report that confirmed the link between smoking and cancer, triggering decades of strict regulations. Although warnings about smoking have not completely eliminated the habit, they have helped raise awareness of the risks.
Source: www.descopera.ro
