Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.

Dr. Chinmay Jani, the chief fellow in Hematology and Oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, Fl., is one of the leading experts researching how alcohol contributes to causing cancer. In this Q&A, he discusses why the warning labels on alcohol's contribution to cancer are limited and need to be strengthened compared to stronger warning labels on cigarettes.

In a forthcoming article to be published in a scientific journal, Dr. Jani noted that "Alcohol-associated cancer death in the USA doubled from 1990 from 11,896 people to 2021 affected 23,207, with mortality rates significantly higher in the 55+ age and males." In 2021, he added that liver and breast cancers associated with alcohol-related cancers.

The paper concludes that critical need is urgently required for "targeted prevention efforts and increased awareness to address the rising impact of alcohol consumption on cancer-related mortality."

An August 13, 2025 Gallup Poll revealed that 53% of people, a new high, thinks that moderate alcohol drinking is bad for one's health. Indeed people are drinking less as the poll revealed that drinking alcohol in the U.S. fell to 54% from 60% from 1997 to 2023.

What Current Alcohol Warning Labels Must Include

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Bureau, part of the U.S. Department of Treasury, declares that bottles with greater than 50% alcohol must include two warning labels: 1) According to the U.S. Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages, during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects, 2) Consumption of alcohol beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may cause health problems.

By contrast, the Food and Drug Administration has issued a series of warning labels that cigarettes must contain that include: 1) Tobacco smoke causes fatal lung disease in nonsmokers, 2) Tobacco smoke can harm your children, 3) Smoking causes bladder cancer, 4) Smoking causes COPD, a lung disease that can be fatal, 5) Smoking causes type 2 diabetes, which raises blood sugar.

Indeed on January 3, 2025 the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a report linking drinking alcoholic beverages with an increased risk of becoming victim to 7 difference cancers including breast (in women), colorectal, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat and larynx.

There are some cancer specialists who contend that the evidence linking alcohol use to cancer requires additional research. Here's what Dr. Jani said about alcohol warning labels.

Question: How much proof is there that consumption of alcohol maximizes and increases the chance of coming down with various cancers?

Dr. Jani: In the recent time there's more and more research and proof coming out that alcohol is associated with several types of cancers. Proportionately, it's increasing the risk of causing cancer overall.

Question: Currently, two warning labels are mandated for alcohol, one stating that alcohol can lead to birth defects when consumed by women who are pregnant and secondly, a label that declares that drinking impairs one's ability to drive a car. Your view on these warning labels?

Dr. Jani: These labels have been in place since 1988 and since then, they haven't been changed or updated. These labels are helpful for the general population, but as we gather more data regarding various different health risks, there should be some changes and updates to these labels.

Question: What specifically should be added to these warning labels?

Dr. Jani: I did some research on other countries and found that Ireland updated its warning in summer 2025 with a sentence there is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers. In the U.S. based on the current evidence coming out, there should be some warning about the link between alcohol and cancer, stating that alcohol is a risk factor for several different cancers.

Question: What effect would stronger warning labels have on people who drink?

Dr. Jani: It would create awareness that alcohol has different health risks including cancer, and based on my experience, whenever people hear the word cancer, it increases their attention exponentially.

Question: So would you advise stopping drinking alcohol?

Dr. Jani: Try to cut down as much as possible until we have complete information about what proportion of drinking alcohol is healthy and who is at a higher risk. It is still difficult to say eliminate, but I'd advise cutting down as much as possible.

Question: Why are the people who drink 5 drinks or more a week living dangerously and curtailing their longevity?

Dr. Jani: Our research shows that people who have a daily consumption of more than 2 drinks increase the risk of coming down with colon cancer and rectal cancer. The people who drink more than 3 drinks per day have almost 4 times higher risk of esophagus (food pipe) cancer,

Question: Bottom-line, why shouldn't people drink alcohol?

Dr. Jani: Because as data is evolving constantly, we have more evidence that alcohol has many direct, adverse effects on health including cancer.

Question: Anything we left out?

Dr. Jani: I would ask one question to a general population that drinks. First and foremost, when they drink, am I aware of the risk of alcohol leading to cancer, and if I am, why am I still consuming it despite my awareness.