Which countries warn that alcohol can cause cancer?
Should the United States follow the surgeon general’s call on Friday for cancer warning labels? aleit will join a small group of countries advising drinkers about the risks.
The World Health Organization concluded in 1988 that alcohol is carcinogenic to humans and that it has said for many years that the harmful effects of alcohol are well documented. WHO: “It is impossible to determine the safe amount of alcohol consumed for cancer” reported in 2023.
But a group of researchers noted in a learn announced in 2020 that only a quarter of the world’s countries require any health warnings about alcohol. Their language is generally vague and cancer warnings are rare.
The report by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy includes an overview of research and reviews published over the past 20 years, including a global study of 195 countries and territories with participation of 28 million people. Research shows that higher alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of cancer.
Here are some countries that say cancer is linked to alcohol or are considering stronger labeling.
Korea
Only South Korea has a warning label for liver cancer. In 2016, the country required a group of labels for alcohol, some of which included warnings about liver cancer.
However, manufacturers may choose to apply alternative labels that do not mention cancer on their products.
South Korea has long ranked high among countries in alcohol consumption, according to the WHO. sometimes try to act goes against the nation’s drinking culture. For example, in 2012, the police in Seoul declared repression about drunken violence.
Ireland
Beginning in 2026, labels that read “THERE IS A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN ALCOHOL AND FATAL CANCER” and “DRINK ALCOHOL CAUSES LIVER DISEASE” in red capital letters will be required on all tanks for beer, wine and spirits. sold in Ireland.
The regulation, which was signed into law in 2023, will make Ireland the first country to mandate public disclosure of the link between any level of alcohol consumption and cancer. World Cancer Research Foundation.
Ireland has for many years sought various positive measures to limit alcohol use. In 2022, the country applied minimum alcohol prices, a move that the National Public Health Secretary, Stephen Donnelly, called “designed to reduce serious illness and death caused by alcohol consumption and reduce pressure on our health services due to alcohol-related conditions”.
Ireland has been at the forefront of other public health policies in the past. In 2004, the country became the first country to ban smoking in indoor workplaces, including bars and restaurants. Since its implementation, more than 70 countries have followed suit.
Efforts of other countries
Norway already has a lot adjust alcohol, restricting beer sales before 8pm on weekdays and 6pm on Saturdays, and only selling wine, spirits and “strong beer” in state liquor stores. But in recent years the country has is developing According to local media, the proposal includes warnings about cancer.
Thailand is also studying regulations requiring alcohol to be labeled with graphic images and text warnings such as “alcoholic beverages may cause cancer.” according to Bangkok Post. Industry group criticized the proposal.
Although Canada does not require cancer warnings for alcohol, a bill requiring labels to clearly state a direct link has been introduced in the Act. Canadian Parliament in 2022. A group of researchers in Canada sought to study the effects of warning labels mentioning cancer in 2017, but complaints from alcohol trade groups leads to Local authorities temporarily halted the research.
In recent years, authorities in Canada, England and several other countries have endorsed the idea that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. Governments of some countries with high rates of alcohol consumption have also taken steps to reduce consumption. even in Russiawhere this effort is one of its primary public health goals.
Roni Caryn Rabin And Ted Alcorn Report contributions.
