Australia considers cancer warnings for alcoholic beverages

Australia is considering mandatory cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages, similar to those on cigarette packs. Currently, alcohol packaging includes vague "drink responsibly" messages, but many Australians are unaware of the direct link between alcohol and cancer. The U.S. Surgeon General recently recommended explicit cancer warnings on alcohol, following similar mandates in Ireland and South Korea. In Australia, health bodies have advocated for these warnings for over a decade, but manufacturers currently decide on labeling. Research indicates that clear cancer warnings could improve public awareness and potentially reduce alcohol consumption. A study showed that such warnings increased knowledge of the alcohol-cancer link by 10% in a Canadian trial.