WHO calls for mandatory cancer warnings on alcohol labels in Europe
Alcohol: WHO agency alerted depending on industry self-regulation poses threats, as producers may opt to use “inconspicuous placement and ambiguous messaging”.
Raising Awareness on Alcohol and Cancer
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged European countries to introduce mandatory and standardized health warning labels on alcoholic beverages to highlight the link between alcohol consumption and cancer.
The agency expressed concern over the “alarming” lack of public awareness regarding this connection, emphasizing the need for clear, on-pack labeling.
Low Public Awareness of Alcohol-Related Cancer Risks
A WHO study across 14 European nations found that:
- Only 15% of respondents were aware that alcohol consumption is linked to breast cancer.
- 39% recognized its connection to colon cancer, which is the most prevalent alcohol-related cancer among men in the EU, while breast cancer is the most common among women.
WHO’s Push for Clear Labeling
Dr. Hans Henri Kluge, WHO Europe’s regional director, emphasized that clear and prominent health warning labels empower individuals with the necessary information to make informed choices. He stated, “Knowledge is power,” reinforcing that consumers have a right to understand the potential harms of alcohol consumption.
The WHO also highlighted research involving 20,000 participants, which found that explicit cancer warnings on labels significantly increased awareness and discouraged alcohol consumption. Additionally, a pilot study revealed that only 0.26% of shoppers scanned QR codes for health information, making on-pack warnings essential.
Industry Resistance and Counterarguments
The proposal has faced resistance from the alcohol industry. SpiritsEurope’s director general, Ulrich Adam, argued that numerous studies show health warning labels are ineffective in changing behavior, particularly among high-risk drinkers.
Also read: Global trends in MDR-TB among children and adolescents
He emphasized that while excessive drinking is harmful, moderate alcohol consumption carries low risks for most adults.
Similarly, The Portman Group, a UK-based self-regulatory body for alcohol labeling, opposed the idea of blanket cancer warnings, stating that such labels could erode trust in health advice and create unnecessary anxiety.
Growing Global Momentum for Alcohol Warnings
The push for health warning labels follows similar actions taken globally:
- Ireland became the first EU country to mandate cancer warnings on alcohol labels, with the law set to take effect in May 2026.
- The US Surgeon General recently recommended updated labels to reflect alcohol’s cancer risks.
- Canada’s Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) issued new guidelines in 2023, stating that no level of alcohol consumption is risk-free and recommended a maximum of two drinks per week.
EU’s Beating Cancer Plan
The EU has warned that cancer-related deaths in the bloc could increase by over 24% by 2035 unless decisive action is taken. Under the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan, the bloc aims to reduce harmful alcohol use by at least 10% by 2025.
As the debate continues, the WHO maintains that mandatory health warnings are a crucial step toward reducing alcohol-related health risks and supporting public health initiatives across Europe.