Alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S. after tobacco and obesity. This direct link between cancer and alcohol has been established for decades, yet less than half of all Americans recognize that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for cancer. At the onset of this year, the U.S. Surgeon General released a health advisory outlining the direct link between the consumption of alcohol and increased risk of cancer. This advisory contains a recommendation that the existing Surgeon General’s health warning label on alcohol-containing beverages be updated to include a warning about this risk.

I intend to act upon the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendation by introducing legislation which would require all alcoholic beverages sold in Pennsylvania to be labeled with a warning about the risk of cancer associated with alcohol consumption.

By ensuring that all alcoholic beverages contain this warning label, we will equip all Pennsylvanians with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health when they drink and encourage responsible drinking overall.

Please join me in ensuring that all Pennsylvanians are aware of the direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0434: 42-8902