US surgeon general urges cancer warnings for alcoholic drinks

The U.S. Surgeon General has called for cancer risk warnings on alcoholic beverage labels, marking a potential move toward stricter regulations similar to those for tobacco.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy stated that alcohol consumption raises the risk of at least seven cancers, including breast, colon, and liver cancer, though many Americans remain unaware.

Shares of liquor companies like Diageo and Pernod Ricard fell over 3%, while U.S. brands like Constellation Brands and Molson Coors dropped 1-2% in early trading.

Murthy urged a reassessment of alcohol consumption guidelines to help consumers weigh cancer risks alongside existing warnings about birth defects and impaired operation of vehicles or machinery.

Alcohol accounts for 100,000 U.S. cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually, surpassing alcohol-related traffic fatalities, according to the report.

Current alcohol labels, unchanged since 1988, do not mention cancer risks, despite evidence linking alcohol to seven cancers, including those of the esophagus, mouth, and throat. The report suggests healthcare providers screen for alcohol use and promote public awareness of its risks.