US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has released a report directly linking alcohol to an increased risk of cancer. The report states that spending on most kinds of alcohol has declined, especially among young adults. This trend is reflective of Gen Z’s shifting habits and priorities when it comes to alcohol consumption.
According to the report, alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, following tobacco usage and obesity. Surgeon General Murthy recommends updating warnings on alcohol packages to raise awareness of the harmful effects of drinking. However, this requires an act of Congress.
The decrease in alcohol spending among young people has been observed over several decades, with personal spending as a share of personal consumption expenditures dropping since 1959. Younger adults under 25 years old have been shown to spend less on average than their older counterparts. This shift is attributed to Gen Z and millennials’ changing attitudes towards health and socializing.
Gen Z is favoring more active settings like fitness groups over drinking, marking a shift in younger Americans’ behaviors. The Surgeon General’s report urges Congress to update warning labels and revise recommended consumption limits to prevent cancer among the US population.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/alcohol-spending-trends-gen-z-millennials-baby-boomers-surgeon-general-2025-1