US surgeon general calls for cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks

America’s top doctor has called for more serious warnings on alcoholic drinks, similar to cigarette labels, following new research linking the drink to seven types of cancer.

Advice from the US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says that “most Americans are unaware of this danger” which causes about 100,000 cancer patients and 20,000 deaths per year in the US.

It would require Congress to change the existing warnings, which have not been changed since 1988.

Mr Murthy has also called for a review of the recommended limits for alcohol consumption and to promote education on alcohol and cancer.

The Surgeon General, who is the government’s chief public health spokesman, said alcohol is the third leading cause of cancer after tobacco and obesity.

“The direct connection between alcohol consumption and the risk of cancer is well established for seven types of cancer … regardless of the type of alcohol (for example, beer, wine, and spirits) that is consumed,” Murthy said in a statement.

This includes an increased risk of breast cancer (in women), esophagus, liver, throat, mouth, nose and colon.

The new report recommends health care providers should encourage alcohol testing and referrals if needed, and efforts to increase awareness should be expanded.

Warning labels currently have to say that pregnant women should not drink alcohol because of the risk of childbirth. They must also state that “drinking alcohol impairs driving or operating machinery, and can cause illness”.

Share prices of US spirits companies – including Diageo, the world’s largest spirits maker – fell as much as 4% following the announcement.