The top doctor in the U.S., Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, has called for alcohol products to have warning labels, just like cigarettes, to inform people of the cancer risks.
His new report highlights that alcohol is linked to seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, and throat cancer. In the U.S., about 100,000 new cancer cases and 20,000 deaths each year are caused by alcohol.
Murthy says most Americans don’t realize the risks, and he’s pushing for updated warning labels on alcohol that haven’t changed since 1988.
He also suggests reviewing the recommended alcohol limits and increasing awareness about alcohol’s connection to cancer.
Countries like Ireland and South Korea already require labels warning people about the cancer risks of alcohol. In the U.S., Congress would need to approve the change to labels, but it’s unclear if the new government will support it.
Other countries have also lowered safe drinking limits after research showed no amount of alcohol is entirely safe.
Murthy’s recommendations have affected the stock prices of alcohol companies, including Diageo.
As BBC reports, Murthy is focusing on the need for better public understanding of the link between alcohol and cancer, just like the health warnings found on tobacco products.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj90x3np0zpo