Recently, U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, issued a new warning about the risks of alcohol, saying it can cause cancer.
He recommended that alcohol products have warning labels similar to those on cigarette packages.
According to Murthy, alcohol is one of the leading preventable causes of cancer, after smoking and obesity.
Alcohol is linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including those of the breast, liver, mouth, and throat.
It doesn’t matter whether the alcohol is beer, wine, or liquor—each carries the same risks.
The Surgeon General says alcohol is responsible for about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths in the U.S. every year.
After the warning was released, stock prices for major alcohol companies fell.
Boston Beer Company, known for brands like Angry Orchard and Samuel Adams, saw a 3.83% drop. Molson Coors, which makes Miller Lite and Coors Light, dropped by 3.3%, and Jack Daniel’s saw a 2.5% decrease.
Murthy’s report pointed out that alcohol-related cancer deaths are more common than alcohol-related traffic deaths in the U.S. and that many Americans are unaware of the cancer risks linked to alcohol.
He said the next step is to raise awareness about these risks and take steps to reduce harm.
However, it’s unclear if alcohol companies will be required to add these warning labels, as that decision is up to Congress.
