Should Alcoholic Beverages Have Cancer Warning Labels?

WHY NOT? –

Oct. 30, 2024 -Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for several cancers, and it’s important to raise public health awareness about the issue, according to Timothy Rebbeck, Vincent L. Gregory, Jr. Professor of Cancer Prevention at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “We used to believe that drinking alcohol in moderation—red wine, in particular—had cardiovascular benefits,” Rebbeck explained. “More recent studies, however, have found that the heart health benefit attributed to wine might actually be a result of some people having healthier lifestyles and higher incomes.”

In a Sept. 27 Verywell Health article, Rebbeck discussed a 2024 report by the American Association for Cancer Research, which noted that many people don’t know about the cancer risks posed by alcohol. According to the report, alcohol consumption is linked to multiple types of cancer, including breast, liver, and stomach, and it recommended strengthening warning labels on alcoholic beverages to acknowledge the risk.

“When it comes to alcohol, we should be aware of the risks so that we can mitigate them,” Rebbeck said.

However, he pointed out that developing public health messaging requires nuance, because the cancer risk from alcohol varies from person to person. Additionally, researchers’ understanding of the risks has changed over time.