Calls for better warning labels on alcohol
Joanna Crothers: Alcohol's links to cancer aren't top of mind for these Perth workers at knock-off time.
Perth worker 1: I'm not entirely sure that I know that there's a direct link. I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that.
Joanna Crothers: But the general health risks were more familiar.
Perth worker 2: Yeah, I'm quite aware if you're a heavy drinker it can lead to issues.
Joanna Crothers: As well as illnesses like heart and liver disease, the World Health Organisation warns alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer, including bowel and breast cancer. UNSW's Dr Claire Wilkinson is on the WHO's advisory group for alcohol labelling.
Claire Wilkinson: I think people are not aware that alcohol causes cancer. So liver cirrhosis, people are more aware of that link. But other types of cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, people are less aware of the causal link. We think that as a product, consumers have the right to know.
Joanna Crothers: Dr Wilkinson is calling on Australia to adopt the WHO's recommendations for cancer warnings on alcohol. She says a trial in Canada proved cancer warnings, improved awareness and encouraged people to rethink their drinking habits.
Claire Wilkinson: The label was about, I'd say, two centimetres tall. It was in a very strong contrast of bright red and bright yellow. And it had the message, alcohol can cause cancer in black bold font. And then it went on to say, including breast, colon and stomach cancer.
Joanna Crothers: Canada also leads the way on alcohol consumption guidelines, recommending no more than two drinks a week, while Australia recommends no more than four drinks on any one day and a maximum of 10 a week. But Alcohol Beverages Australia's Executive Director Alistair Coe says further restrictions are not needed, including cancer warnings on bottles and cans.
Alistair Coe: The industry does not support these warning labels. Of course we promote a culture of drinking in moderation, but simply putting another label on a container is not going to bring about change.
Joanna Crothers: Mr Coe says the majority of Australians drink responsibly.
Alistair Coe: So we need to make sure we're taking a holistic and very well evidence based position.
Joanna Crothers: In a statement, the Health Department says the National Alcohol Strategy identifies reforms and aims to prevent alcohol related harm, and the department will monitor the impact of Ireland's warning labels. Last week, Ireland postponed the rollout of these labels until 2028. Back in Perth, these people had mixed views on warning labels.
Perth local 1: I think there's enough advertising and awareness of that sort of thing. And at the end of the day, people need to take responsibility for their own actions. So we're not two year olds. I think we're governed enough as it is in this state.
Perth local 2: Yeah, I think it is probably something that people should be warned about, because in Australia, most people drink every night. So it would be a bit more in your face.
Perth local 3: I don't think it's going to make any difference. If somebody's going to drink, they're going to drink.
Andy Park: Perth drinkers. Ending that report by Joanna Crothers.
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