Cancer warnings on alcohol labels may curb drinking

New warning labels on alcoholic beverages that spell out specific health risks, including cancer and liver disease, may be more effective than the current U.S. label at prompting people to drink less, according to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

The research comes as alcohol-related deaths in the United States have climbed steadily over the past two decades, even though federal warning labels on alcohol containers have remained unchanged since 1988. The existing label warns against drinking during pregnancy and before driving or operating machinery, and says alcohol “may cause health problems.” But the study found that many consumers do not notice it or remember it.

Researchers led by Anna H. Grummon, an assistant professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, tested how adults responded to different warning messages. The study included 1,036 adults of legal drinking age who said they drank at least once a week. Each participant saw 10 messages in random order: one control message, eight new warning labels and the current U.S. warning label.

Participants then rated each message on whether it encouraged them to drink less, reminded them of alcohol’s harms and taught them something new. The new warnings all performed better than the current federal label, but those that mentioned cancer were especially strong. That finding matters because policymakers in the United States and abroad are debating whether alcohol products should carry cancer warnings.

Ireland is preparing to require cancer warnings on alcohol containers in the coming years, and Alaska already requires a cancer warning to be posted in bars, restaurants and liquor stores where alcohol is sold. The study’s authors said their results suggest such labels could help consumers better understand the risks of drinking and may lead some to cut back.

The researchers also examined design choices, including warning icons. Triangles and octagons were seen as more effective and more likely to catch attention than other symbols, such as a magnifying glass.

Grummon said the work builds on lessons from tobacco control, where warning labels have been used to inform consumers and encourage healthier behavior. She said the team is now running a randomized trial to see whether updated alcohol warnings actually reduce drinking over time and improve knowledge of alcohol-related harms.

The study adds evidence to a broader policy debate over how governments should communicate the health risks of alcohol as public health officials look for ways to slow rising alcohol-related deaths.