Opinion | Should Alcohol Labels Warn of Cancer Risks?

To the Editor:

Re “A Debate Over Cancer Warning Labels on Alcohol” (Science Times, April 9):

This article does an admirable job of spotlighting efforts around the world to require cancer warnings on alcohol. In fact, similar efforts to improve alcohol labeling are gaining traction in the U.S.

Just last month, U.S. regulators held listening sessions about including ingredients, nutritional information and allergen labeling on alcoholic beverages. And in 2020, a coalition of seven health advocacy groups petitioned the U.S. government to adopt a cancer warning label.

U.S. law directs regulators to consult with the surgeon general and “promptly” report to Congress when the need for an amendment to alcohol warnings arises. But more than seven years have passed since the surgeon general proclaimed a link between alcohol and cancer with no action from the Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which regulates most alcohol products.

It’s great news that governments are taking steps so that residents of Ireland, Thailand and Canada will finally get the truth about alcohol, and it’s long past time for the U.S. to follow suit.

Christina LiPuma
Burlington, Vt.
The writer is a policy associate at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

To the Editor:

We object to how your article portrays the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States’ perspective with regard to labeling alcohol beverages to warn consumers about possible health concerns. DISCUS supports appropriate labeling, which has been required in the United States since 1988.

Unlike U.S. labels, which address a broad scope of health concerns in a clear manner, Ireland’s proposed labels suggest that any amount of consumption leads to liver disease or a fatal cancer. As DISCUS commented formally to the Irish government, the labels fail to differentiate between moderate and excessive alcohol consumption and contradict Ireland’s own low-risk guidelines on the responsible consumption of alcohol.

Consumers would be best served by a health warning label that is consistent throughout the European Union and accurately reflects scientific data on alcohol and health.

DISCUS is committed to and fully supports the public health objective of combating the harmful use of alcohol in all forms. For adults who choose to drink, we encourage moderate consumption; some people should not consume alcohol at all, and we support that decision. We encourage everyone to talk to their health care providers about alcohol to determine what is best for them based on individual factors and family history.

Amanda Berger
Washington
The writer is vice president, science and health, for the Distilled Spirits Council.

To the Editor:

As a public health student, I find it fascinating that the need for clear warning labels on alcoholic beverages is up for debate. In my epidemiology class, the cancers we studied all had alcohol consumption as a risk factor. Thus, public health awareness about the link between alcohol and cancer must be prioritized.

Ireland’s decision to boldly label alcohol as a carcinogen is a step in the right direction. Sure, a label is no replacement for a detailed explanation of all the science behind why alcohol causes cancer, but it can serve as a bright red flag for those consuming it. Besides, warning labels on carcinogens are not a new concept, with cigarettes getting the warning treatment since the 1960s.

Warning labels do not mean that people are restricted from drinking. Rather, it is about giving consumers the facts they need to make informed decisions. So, let’s give credit where it’s due. Ireland’s proposal isn’t about demonizing alcohol; it’s about empowering consumers to make healthier choices. After all, who wouldn’t want to know if their favorite drink could be harming them?

Cheers to Ireland for leading the charge. Let’s raise a toast to transparency and good health everywhere.

Sinchana Srinivas
Berkeley, Calif.

Reducing the Risk of Travel-Related Illnesses

To the Editor:

Re “Dengue Fever Took Me by Surprise,” by Deborah Heaney (Opinion guest essay, April 7):

We are doctors with extensive experience in public health and the prevention of infections and other health problems that can arise during travel. Dr. Heaney’s experience underscores the health risks associated with international travel and the challenges of getting evaluated for infections that are not endemic in the U.S.

We advise travelers to take steps to reduce the chance of becoming sick or receiving inappropriate or delayed care for a travel-related illness.

First, before your trip, learn about the specific risks at your destination with sources such as the C.D.C.’s Travelers’ Health website. For many travelers, visiting a clinic that specializes in…