On Friday, January 3, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory on alcohol and cancer risk, a follow-up to the 2016 report on alcohol, drugs, and health, which discussed alcohol misuse’s impact on seven types of cancer. The recently released advisory expands on that information and recommends pursuing “changes to label characteristics to make the warning label more visible, prominent, and effective in increasing awareness about cancer risks associated with alcohol consumption.”

The surgeon general’s label seen on alcohol beverage products currently says that “women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects, and that the consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may cause health problems.”

The information in the advisory is a recommendation, changing the language on the label would require an act of Congress. The 119th Congress was sworn in this week, and the presidential inauguration will be held on January 20, 2025. The Brewers Association will provide additional updates on the advisory if/when they are made.

The Brewers Association and small and independent breweries support the responsible and moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages. Adults of legal drinking age should be mindful of the amount of alcohol they are consuming and ensure that they are making what is the best decision for themselves based on their lifestyle and family health history.