The U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has advised that alcoholic beverages should have updated warning labels to alert consumers about their cancer risks.

In a statement released on Friday, Murthy highlighted that alcohol raises the chances of developing at least seven kinds of cancer, including breast, colon, and liver cancer.

Despite this, many Americans are still unaware of these risks.

Murthy also proposed reevaluating U.S. guidelines on alcohol consumption, which currently suggest no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.

"Alcohol consumption ranks as the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, following tobacco and obesity," his office reported, adding that the type of alcohol consumed doesn't change the risk.

The proposal has sparked reactions from industry groups and public health organizations.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) referenced studies indicating that moderate alcohol consumption might reduce overall mortality rates, even while acknowledging an increased risk of breast cancer.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Beer Institute reiterated its support for responsible drinking practices.

Since 1988, alcohol products in the United States have carried warning labels, mentioning risks like birth defects from drinking during pregnancy and impaired judgment when operating machinery.

These warnings, displayed in small print on packaging, have remained unchanged for decades.

Murthy’s recommendations suggest updates to these labels, though not the bold, cigarette-style warnings used in tobacco regulation.

Murthy's initiative is reminiscent of the landmark 1964 Surgeon General report on smoking, which led to stricter tobacco regulations in the following decades.

However, some analysts warn that warning labels alone may have limited impact on consumer behavior, citing mixed results from tobacco policies.

Blake Droesch, an analyst with eMarketer, observed that while labels may not immediately affect alcohol producers, they could lead to long-term industry challenges.

The global public health community has been increasingly scrutinizing alcohol consumption.

The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that there is no safe level of drinking, a view backed by data linking even small amounts of alcohol to health risks.

Nevertheless, this stance remains debated, with discussions about the role of moderate drinking in society and health.

Murthy’s report estimates that alcohol contributes to roughly 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the U.S., along with over 13,500 alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

The advisory also noted that drinking two alcoholic beverages per day could result in about five more women out of 100 and three more men out of 100 developing cancer over their lifetimes.

Some countries have already started including cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages.

For instance, Ireland has introduced labeling requirements aligned with public health recommendations.

Meanwhile, lobbying efforts by major alcohol firms, such as Diageo and Heineken, continue in the U.S., especially before the 2025 update to the nation’s dietary guidelines.

President-elect Donald Trump’s administration might affect the future of these recommendations.

Trump, who abstains from alcohol due to his brother’s death from alcoholism, has raised concerns about its risks.

His nominee for Surgeon General, Janette Nesheiwat, and his choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F.

Kennedy Jr., who has openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse, could influence future policy decisions.

Ultimately, any changes to alcohol labeling would require congressional approval.

As public health agencies, including the WHO, step up efforts to regulate alcohol similar to tobacco, the debate over its risks, societal role, and regulatory approaches is likely to continue.

For now, Murthy’s call to action has reignited discussions on the intersection of health, consumer awareness, and industry accountability.