The World Health Organization/Europe has called for mandatory cancer warning labels on alcohol, saying that, “Prominent health warning labels on alcoholic beverages are essential for raising awareness that consuming alcohol can lead to cancer.”
In a report released on Friday, “Alcohol health warning labels: a public health perspective for Europe”, the WHO calls for mandatory labelling, prominent labels, cancer warnings, and on-pack labels.
“Alcohol labelling has long been seen as a less effective and relevant intervention—often poorly focused and not designed in an attention-grabbing manner,” wrote the WHO’s Dr. Gauden Galea in the foreword.
But, he went on, “labelling is increasingly considered a powerful tool to bring about change, as already proven in the fields of nutrition and tobacco.”
WHO staff members and allied researchers also published an article in The Lancet saying that label warnings should be “mandated urgently.”
The authors referenced the recent Advisory by the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who in January 2025 also called for mandatory cancer warning labels on alcohol.
Growing push for labels
The fight for cancer warning labels has become more aggressive in the past year. In December 2024, public health lobbies and temperance groups joined with the WHO to mount an exhibition in the European Parliament devoted to warning labels.
They also held a one-day conference on the topic, which included a presentation on how Ireland had managed to legislate cancer warnings, despite international opposition.
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