The US's top doctor has called for warnings about the dangers of alcoholic drinks, similar to labels on cigarettes, in the wake of new research linking the drinks to seven types of cancer.
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy advises that “the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” which leads to about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths annually in the United States.
It would require an act of Congress to change the current warning labels, which have not been updated since 1988.
Mr. Murthy also called for a re-evaluation of recommended limits for alcohol consumption and strengthening of education efforts regarding alcoholic beverages and cancer.
Alcohol is the third most common preventable cause of cancer after tobacco and obesity, said the Surgeon General, the federal government's chief spokesman on public health matters.
“The direct relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk is well known for at least seven types of cancer… regardless of the type of alcohol (such as beer, wine, spirits) that is consumed,” Murthy said in a report. statement.
This includes an increased risk of cancer of the throat, liver, larynx, esophagus, mouth, larynx, and colon.
The new report recommends that health care providers encourage alcohol screening and treatment referrals as needed, and efforts to increase public awareness should be expanded.
Warning labels are currently required to indicate that pregnant women should not drink alcohol due to the risk of birth defects. It must also state that “consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.”
Share prices of US-listed alcohol companies – including Diageo, the world's largest spirits maker – fell as much as 4% after the announcement.
