Quick Facts

• New alcohol warning labels highlighting cancer risk were more effective than current U.S. labels in motivating people to cut back on drinking
• The study tested 1,036 weekly drinkers using eight new warning messages compared to the current 1988 label
• Alcohol contributes to nearly 180,000 deaths annually in the U.S. and is the third leading preventable cause of cancer

Warning labels that directly link alcohol consumption to cancer outperform current U.S. alcohol warnings in motivating people to reduce their drinking, according to new Stanford University research published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Dr. Anna Grummon and her team tested eight new warning labels against the current U.S. warning that has remained unchanged since 1988. The study included 1,036 adults who drink at least weekly. All new warnings outperformed the existing label, but cancer-focused messages proved most effective.

“We wanted to test whether new warnings could better inform consumers about alcohol’s harms and better encourage people to consider cutting back on their drinking,” said Grummon, an assistant professor at Stanford University School of Medicine.

The current U.S. label warns about drinking during pregnancy, operating machinery, and vaguely states alcohol “may cause health problems.” Participants viewed the warnings in random order and reported their likelihood to reduce consumption.

Alcohol causes nearly 180,000 deaths annually in the U.S., representing 13 percent of deaths among adults aged 20 to 64. Death rates from alcohol have increased for both men and women over the past two decades.

“For example, we’ve known for many years that alcohol contributes to cancer, but most Americans aren’t aware of that link,” Grummon explained. Alcohol ranks as the third leading preventable cause of cancer after tobacco and obesity.

The research comes as policymakers debate updating alcohol warnings. Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for cancer warnings on alcohol labels before leaving office, citing seven cancer types linked to drinking including breast, colorectal and mouth cancer.

Ireland plans to require cancer warnings on alcohol containers in coming years. Alaska already mandates cancer warnings in establishments selling alcohol. “Our findings suggest these policies could help people understand the risks of drinking and potentially reduce consumption,” Grummon said.

The Trump administration has moved away from stricter alcohol guidelines, removing specific daily drinking limits from dietary recommendations and pulling a major report on alcohol’s health harms.

Amanda Berger of the Distilled Spirits Council said the industry follows existing label laws and “does not recommend that anyone drink to achieve health benefits.”

Half of U.S. adults drink at least monthly. Grummon hopes the research will inform policy discussions about updating alcohol warnings as part of broader strategies to address alcohol-related deaths.

Read more: Alcohol warning labels that link drinking to cancer are effective, study says