Western Pennsylvanians react to U.S. Surgeon General's call for cancer warning on alcohol

On Friday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said that because alcohol is a leading cause of cancer, warning labels should be on all alcoholic beverages.

Murthy said in an Associated Press article that Americans should be better informed about the link between alcohol and cancer, in particular, noting alcohol consumption is to blame for nearly 1 million preventable cancer cases in the U.S. over the last decade.

But Western Pennsylvanians don’t necessarily agree with that assessment — or are concerned about it.

Jason Shook, of Beechview, was having a beer at Coach’s Bottleshop & Grille in Banksville Plaza on Friday afternoon when asked his thoughts about Murthy’s proposal.

“Everything causes cancer,” Shook said. “This is ridiculous. I don’t think people will listen to that warning.”

Bottles of beer, wine and liquor already carry warning labels about the risk of birth defects when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol, but Murthy’s proposed label would go even further, raising awareness about the risk for cancer, too.

“The government is trying to protect people from themselves with this,” said Johnny Lee, one of the partners at Coach’s. “Are they going to put a label on cookies that if you eat too many you might get diabetes? This makes no sense. I don’t think this will ever go through.”

Lee questioned how it would be enforced if Congress passed the requirement.

People know alcohol can impair them and it can damage their liver but they still drink, said Joe Truesdell, bartender at Coach’s. “I don’t think this will stop people,” said Truesdell, who heard about the label advisory earlier in the day.

Dana Provenzano, owner of Zano’s Pub House in the Run in Greenfield, said she is not against another warning label but she would like more concrete information about the connection between alcohol and cancer. She said she has been reading about it all day and said she knows alcohol is not great and can cause health issues, but so do other things.

“I don’t have a problem with them changing the label, but I want to understand more about the science behind this,” she said. “I need more proof. I also don’t think changing the label will deter people. I think some of this is the government trying to put a damper on the small mom-and-pop businesses.”

Provenzano said if this goes through there will be extra expenses for breweries, wineries and distilleries because they will have to update their packaging. She wondered if the government plans to put labels on soda that has too much sugar.

“Where does it all stop?” she said.

Zano’s customer John Dropp, a nutritionist for hospitals and nursing homes and a lifestyle educator, said alcohol has more benefits than some foods and other drinks. He said many fast food meals and other processed products should have warning labels. High fructose corn syrup is in many products and isn’t good for you, Dropp said.

He said he has seen health benefits in drinking in moderation in the older population where they might have a weekly happy hour where they live.

“The bigger problem in the U.S. is obesity,” Dropp said. “Society as a whole should focus on healthier living and moderation of beer, spirits or wine.”

Scott Smith, owner of East End Brewing with locations in Larimer and Mt. Lebanon, said he heard about the advisory on National Public Radio this morning.

“I’m no legal expert, but according to that conversation, Congress would have to enact such a requirement before it goes into law,” Smith said. “So I suppose I’ll do whatever is required for compliance if and when that time comes.”