Canada鈥檚 need for clear warnings on alcohol labels has never been greater. The stress created by impending U.S. tariffs and job losses make alcohol hard to resist in those at risk. It鈥檚 also a lot tougher to access health care and a far easier to purchase alcohol, now that it鈥檚 more available in Ontario鈥檚 retail stores.
The as the world鈥檚 third-leading cause of preventable cancer. Its high calorie count adds to obesity, the second-leading global cause of cancer.聽
Yet, despite mounting evidence of harm, warning labels on alcohol aren鈥檛 required. Every other Canadian food and beverage has to display a nutrition label that includes calories. Tobacco and cannabis are also mandated to have clear warnings.;
Alcohol鈥檚 free pass leaves consumers exposed to the myths the industry has carefully crafted: ads show friends relaxing, without mentioning that it causes at least nine cancers.
The implication of great sex is another common sales tactic. Fact-check: Alcohol causes erectile dysfunction. The industry especially targets people living with loneliness, enticing them with ads suggesting that, 鈥淪ocial success is just one drink away,鈥 leaving out the pesky reality that alcohol worsens anxiety and deepens depression.聽 聽
The laser focus is on sales, . Standards are lax and rarely if ever refer to its physical, mental and social harms, even as they overwhelm primary care clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals. Rural settings where health services are least available, are especially impacted.
Drinking is a highly personal choice, but so is the right to be informed.聽 聽聽聽
Alcohol is among . Someone who drinks regularly will need more to elicit the same feelings. Regular use leads to withdrawal. Just one drink can disrupt sleep architecture and trigger insomnia. It also raises blood pressure and worsens diabetes.
While most Canadians have some awareness of alcohol鈥檚 harms, fewer than 1-in-5 polled . (It鈥檚 a 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5-ounce shot of liquor.)
Having over two drinks a week increases harm to health. The risk of having a heart attack and stroke starts to rise at seven drinks a week. Alcohol causes over 200 different health conditions; it raises blood pressure, worsens diabetes and causes dementia. It fuels sexual and violent assaults and causes motor vehicle accidents. .
Yet, despite everything,聽 the container鈥檚 volume, alcohol content and whether it has gluten, sulphites or flavourings.
The lack of alcohol warning labels carries serious consequences. It comes as no surprise that nearly half of Canadians are unaware that alcohol causes at least nine cancers, including of the breast, pancreas, esophagus, larynx, liver and colorectum.聽
The failure to mandate clear warning labels leaves the fox in charge of the hen house. The industry鈥檚 solution? Remind consumers to, 鈥減lease drink responsibly.鈥 It鈥檚 a pleasant sound byte that fails to disclose any of alcohol鈥檚 harms and hasn鈥檛 reduced drinking.
聽鈥淐onsumers have a right to clear and accessible information about the health and safety of the products they buy,鈥 according to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.
Bill S-254 offers some hope. If passed, future labels would be required to display warnings about alcohol鈥檚 increased cancer risk. It鈥檚 a big win for consumers that has the full support of the Canadian Cancer Society because it would allow Canadians to make a more informed choice when deciding how much alcohol to drink. Serving sizes, calories and other health harms will still be missing in action.
Even so, Bill S-254 offers a much-needed counterweight to the unchallenged dreamscape created by alcohol makers. Warning labels would finally hold the industry partially accountable for disclosing cancer risk and make the decision to drink a more informed one.
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