U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has urged for updated warning labels on alcoholic beverages to inform consumers about their cancer risks.

In a statement on Friday, Murthy highlighted that alcohol increases the chance of developing at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colon, and liver cancer.

Yet, many Americans are unaware of these risks.

Murthy also proposed reviewing U.S. alcohol consumption guidelines, which currently advise men to have no more than two drinks a day and women one drink a day.

"Alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, following tobacco and obesity," stated his office, noting that the type of alcohol doesn't affect the risk.

This proposal has elicited responses from industry groups and public health organizations.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) noted studies indicating moderate alcohol consumption may reduce overall mortality rates, while also recognizing an increased breast cancer risk.

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

Since 1988, alcohol products in the United States have included warning labels about risks such as birth defects from drinking during pregnancy and impaired judgment when operating machinery.

These small-text warnings have gone unchanged for decades.

Murthy suggests updates to these labels, but not the large, 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 later years.

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

Blake Droesch, an eMarketer analyst, noted that while labels might not immediately impact alcohol producers, they could pose long-term challenges for the industry.

The global public health community has increasingly scrutinized alcohol consumption.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states there is no safe drinking level, a stance supported by data linking even small alcohol amounts to health risks.

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

Murthy’s report estimates alcohol contributes to around 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 noted that consuming two alcoholic drinks a day could lead to about five more women and three more men out of 100 developing cancer over their lifetimes.

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

Ireland, for instance, has introduced labeling requirements consistent with public health recommendations.

Meanwhile, major alcohol companies like Diageo and Heineken continue lobbying in the U.S., especially ahead of the 2025 update to the nation’s dietary guidelines.

The then-President-elect Donald Trump’s administration might influence these recommendations' direction.

Trump, who abstains from alcohol due to his brother’s death from alcoholism, has expressed 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 been candid about his substance abuse struggles, could shape future policies.

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

As public health agencies, including the WHO, ramp 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 for action has reignited discussions about the intersection of health, consumer awareness, and industry accountability.