Putting cancer warning labels on alcohol bottles could take years, experts say

Some industry experts are skeptical that U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s recommendation for cancer warning labels on alcohol will be touched on in the short term, and one expert suggests that if it does, it will. may take years to implement.

Dr Vivek Murthy, who ends his term at the end of January, has issued advice that shows a direct link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of a number of cancers, including throat, liver, esophagus, mouth, larynx (voice box), colon and rectal cancers.

Its advisory noted that alcohol is the 3rd leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, contributing to approx. 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 people die each year from cancer.It also said updating health warning labels on alcoholic beverages is “an important next step in alcohol-related cancer prevention.”

Dr. David Shaker, of New Jersey-based Shaker Medical Group, told FOX Business that “there’s no way for anyone to know what’s going to happen, but based on the history of similar themes, it’s the best way to predict the future.”

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As an example, he cited the 1964 Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health, which officially declared cigarette smoking to be the leading cause of lung cancer and other serious diseases. on health warning labels since 1966.

The initial warning read: “Warning. smoking cigarettes can be dangerous to your health.

Peter Pitts, a former FDA commissioner and co-founder of the Center for the Public Interest in Medicine, believes that if labels are placed on alcohol products, it could take years, if at all. slow pace of government decision-making;

However, Pitts stressed that treading carefully, especially with a claim of this magnitude, is essential, noting that “jumping to conclusions is never a good thing.” He is also skeptical of the report’s timing and advocates for further research peculiar” described Murthy’s decision to wait until the end of his term to make such a statement.

Murthy, who will step down on January 20, will be replaced next Inauguration of President-elect Trump.

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“If the data has been around for so long, and if the data is so overwhelmingly clear, why is he waiting until he’s packed his boxes to leave his office to make this very aggressive type of statement?” Pitts said. “I want to understand why now, versus three years ago, when the administration could really actively put the full weight of its tenure.”

A barman pours beer from a tap at the Signature Brew brewery in East London on August 19, 2022. (HOLLIE ADAMS/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Pitts said the current administration could have spent “more time and more effort and more political capital pushing a proposal as dramatic as listing alcoholic beverages as a possible cause of cancer.”

He advocates for new studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of eleven agencies that make up the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“Once those studies come out, we can really look at the data and understand what it says,” he said. “Then we can take a step back and say how can we advise Americans about their personal choices? and the potential health risks of those choices.

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Officials at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the NIH, stress the importance of counseling. NCI Director Dr. Kimryn Rathmell said in a recent statement that “counselling about alcohol use and cancer risk is important for everyone to hear, especially for those who have a high risk of developing cancer because of family history or other factors.”

Bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label and Double Black Blended Scotch Whiskey launched on January 31, 2024 in Leigh on Sea, England. (Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images/Getty Images)

However, Rathmell told FOX Business that the NCI is “continuing to do research so that we can offer clearer guidelines on how individuals can personally manage their risk.”

“NCI will continue to disseminate research findings on alcohol use and cancer risk as policymakers consider the use of product labeling,” he said, adding that “knowing the personal risks of alcohol use is valuable for individuals making personal lifestyle decisions.” about”, and that “ensures. that the community knows reliable information about a risk factor under our control is important for cancer prevention.”

The most important thing is to “arm people with information so they can make personal decisions and discuss them with their doctor,” Rathmell added.