Surgeon General Seeks Cancer Warnings on Alcohol Labels

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called for cancer risk warnings to be added to alcohol labels, citing its role as the third-leading preventable cause of cancer after tobacco and obesity. Alcohol consumption is linked to at least seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, and throat cancers. Oregon health officials support this initiative, emphasizing its potential to raise awareness among the public. Implementing such a change would require congressional approval, as current labels have not been updated for decades. Despite the evidence, there is skepticism about whether these warnings would significantly alter drinking behaviors. Awareness campaigns like Oregon's 'Rethink the Drink' aim to inform consumers about these risks to make informed decisions about alcohol consumption.