The World Health Organization (WHO) is pushing for governments worldwide to require prominent warning labels on alcohol products that indicate drinking increases the risk of cancer. The UN agency says such labels should become standard to alert consumers to the link between alcohol and cancer, tackling the harm caused by heavy drinking.
Cancer charities welcomed the move, saying that clear warnings would help raise awareness and encourage people to think about their drinking habits. Governments worldwide are urged to act on this issue, despite the fact that some countries currently exempt alcohol from mandatory warning labels.
Ireland is set to become the first country in the EU to introduce such labels next year. The WHO’s regional director for Europe says clear health warnings empower individuals with vital information to make informed choices about their drinking. However, some industry groups, including the Portman Group, have expressed concerns that blanket cancer warning labels could create unnecessary anxiety and erode trust in health advice.
The Institute of Alcohol Studies thinktank supports the WHO’s call, saying that inadequate regulations have favored alcohol companies over public health. The UK government has announced plans to invest an additional £267m in drug and alcohol treatment this year, but no plans to introduce health labels on alcohol products.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/14/who-world-health-organization-calls-for-cigarette-style-cancer-warnings-on-alcohol-packaging