01/16/2023
Why are there no cancer warnings on alcohol labels?
Alcohol has been categorized alcohol as a "group one" carcinogen, placing it in the same category of risk as cigarette smoking. But unlike cigarettes, there are no cancer warnings on beer, wine or liquor packaging. “Alcohol is responsible for 20 cancer deaths every hour of every day of the year, and all of those deaths are preventable," said Pamela Trangenstein, a scientist with the federally funded Alcohol Research Group.
■Class discussion: Did you know that drinking alcohol could cause cancer? Do you think cancer warnings could convince people to stop drinking? Could alcohol advertising be banned on television like tobacco? Smoking declined after cancer warning labels and advertising restrictions. Could the same thing happen with drinking? How much do governments collect in alcohol taxes? Do you think government will actively discourage drinking?