The US Surgeon General has issued a report finding that even moderate drinking carries a substantial risk of cancer, with daily consumption increasing the risk by 40%. The warning comes as society grapples with the complexities of alcohol’s impact on health and social dynamics.
While some argue that the risks of drinking should be taken into account holistically, others see the negative consequences of excessive drinking as outweighing any potential benefits. John Bryant, owner of No-Li Brewery in Spokane, believes that responsible drinking can bring people together in a healthy pub scene.
However, the surgeon general’s advisory highlights the need for increased awareness about alcohol’s cancer risk. The report states that 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths are attributed to alcohol use annually in the US. Cancer risk increases substantially with the amount of alcohol consumed, and the kind of alcohol does not affect the risk.
To address this issue, the surgeon general recommends creating a health warning label on alcoholic beverages. However, this would require congressional action. Instead, breweries like Black Label Brewing Company are responding by expanding their non-alcoholic beer offerings, which have seen significant growth in recent years.
Patera Temperance Lounge co-owner Annie McGuiness hopes that increased awareness of the risks associated with drinking will make non-alcoholic beverages more normalized and accessible to consumers. The rise of nonalcoholic beverages has been attributed to changing attitudes towards health and wellness, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and generational shifts in values.
As the role of alcohol in daily life remains unchanged, experts emphasize the importance of making individual decisions about risk. Dr. Bret Gourley with the MultiCare Cancer Institute likens the cancer risk of alcohol to that of tobacco, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of these risks.
Source: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jan/12/no-amount-of-drinking-is-without-risk-of-cancer-su