The World Well being Group launched new findings on Friday about an “alarming” lack of information about alcohol’s hyperlink to most cancers throughout Europe and referred to as for clear and outstanding tobacco-style warnings within the area with the world’s heaviest drinkers.
The worldwide well being company has repeatedly warned that alcohol causes most cancers and has backed clear labeling however has by no means earlier than been as prescriptive in its name for brand spanking new authorities rules.
Earlier this 12 months, the U.S. Surgeon Normal additionally referred to as for warnings of most cancers dangers on alcoholic drink labels.
Alcohol causes 800,000 deaths throughout Europe every year however only a fraction of the inhabitants is conscious of the dangers, the WHO’s Europe workplace stated. Its research discovered that simply 15 per cent of respondents knew that alcohol could cause breast most cancers and 39 per cent have been conscious of its hyperlink to colon most cancers.
“Despite cancer being the leading cause of alcohol-attributable deaths in the European Union (EU), public awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer remains alarmingly low,” the WHO stated.
Counting on self-regulation, because the trade would like, brings the danger that alcohol producers use “inconspicuous placement and ambiguous messaging” or use QR codes which are typically ignored by consumers, it stated.
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As an alternative, alcoholic drinks ought to show “clear and prominent health warnings” in written format which might be mixed with footage “to maximize reach and empower consumers with clear, accurate information to make informed choices about their health,” it stated.
Pictograms and easy text-only messages will be simply as efficient as extra graphic pictures, a spokesperson stated when requested concerning the varieties of warnings.
Presently, simply three out of 27 EU international locations – France, Lithuania and Germany – have some type of warning labels, the WHO stated. Eire plans broader most cancers warnings on alcoholic drinks from Could 2026, it stated.
–Reporting by Emma Farge; Enhancing by Sharon Singleton and Christina Fincher
