- PM urged to mandate bold cancer warnings on alcohol labels
- Campaigners claim current labelling is insufficient
- Industry pushback, claims warning labels are disproportionate
Retailers and alcohol producers in the UK may face some major changes as the government is under mounting pressure to introduce bold cancer warning labels on all alcoholic drinks.
The call is being raised by a powerful coalition of doctors, charities, and public health experts calls for what they describe as "shockingly low" awareness of alcohol-related cancer risks among Brits.
In a letter coordinated by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), dozens of organisations have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to mandate clear, unambiguous labels stating that alcohol causes cancer, a move that would bring the UK in line with Ireland’s upcoming policy to become the first country to include cancer warnings on alcoholic products from May 2026.
Alcohol manufacturers are being told that current labelling , which typically includes voluntary unit guidelines, is insufficient. Campaigners argue the public has a right to know that alcohol is a proven cause of seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, and bowel.
The labels must be “bold and unambiguous”, said the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), which coordinated the letter.
“The evidence is clear: health labelling on alcoholic drinks is urgently needed in the UK to help save lives,” it said. “They should carry strong, clear messages about the health risks, which include the risk of cancer, far beyond vague advice like ‘consume in moderation’.”
Kate Oldridge-Turner, the WCRF’s head of policy and public affairs, said, “Providing alcohol warning labels would empower millions to make informed choices by clearly understanding the risks.”
While public health groups like Cancer Research UK and WHO back the call, the drinks industry is pushing back.
The Portman Group, which represents alcohol makers, acknowledged the cancer link but called blanket warning labels disproportionate, arguing they may cause unnecessary anxiety and alienate moderate drinkers.
“Whilst we do not dispute the link between alcohol and certain cancers, and that drinking at harmful levels is dangerous and increases risks, blanket cancer warning labels are not a proportionate policy measure and do not put the risks into an appropriate context," The Guardian quoted The Portman Group as saying.
“This can create unnecessary anxiety, eroding trust in health advice and alienating the very people who require support.”
WHO and leading health authorities worldwide are urging governments to resist industry pressure and prioritise prevention. The UK Department of Health and Social Care has said it recognises the need for stronger preventive measures and supports clearer health messaging on alcohol packaging.
