The government is considering introducing mandatory health warnings on alcoholic drinks, including wine, beer and spirits, to alert consumers to the risk of cancer.
The proposal comes as part of a newly published ten-year NHS plan, which highlights the success of similar initiatives in other countries — notably South Korea, where bottles are required to carry warnings about the links between alcohol, cancer, and dementia.
The plan calls for “a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages,” which it says would increase public awareness of the “health risks of alcohol consumption” and help people make “informed, healthier choices”.
Currently, alcoholic drinks in the UK are only required to list alcohol by volume (ABV) and any allergens. While some manufacturers voluntarily display additional health information — including the Chief Medical Officer’s guideline of no more than 14 units per week — this is not mandatory. In fact, alcohol-free drinks in the UK often carry more detailed nutritional and health information than alcohol-containing products.
The NHS plan aims to bring alcohol labelling in line with tobacco, food, and non-alcoholic beverages. A public consultation is expected in the coming months.
The proposals have been welcomed by medical groups, but industry representatives have pushed back, warning the plans are “disproportionate” and could damage the economy. According to The Times, other proposed alcohol-related measures — including minimum unit pricing and a ban on advertising — have already been dropped following lobbying from the alcohol industry.
Industry leaders, backed by the Treasury and the business department, argue that additional restrictions would threaten jobs and accelerate pub closures — particularly as the hospitality sector continues to recover from the economic impact of last year’s national insurance rise.
Alcohol misuse remains a major public health concern in the UK, costing the NHS an estimated £27.4 billion annually. Around 3 per cent of the total NHS budget is spent treating alcohol-related illnesses.
In its report, the NHS cites international examples to support the case for change. “Mandatory health warning labels have proven effective in addressing alcohol harm in other countries, including South Korea,” the plan states.
In South Korea, all alcoholic beverages must carry prominent labels warning that “alcohol is a carcinogen” that can cause liver and stomach cancer. Other warnings state: “Excessive drinking causes stroke, memory impairment, or dementia.”
Ireland is set to introduce similar labelling laws next year. Last month, several British medical organisations called on the UK government to follow suit, noting that many drinkers remain unaware of alcohol’s link to at least seven types of cancer.
The World Health Organisation has described cancer-specific warning labels as a “promising tool”, stating they have “a unique impact on consumers’ knowledge”.
Earlier this year, former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for cancer warnings on alcohol in the United States, noting that “the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” which contributes to an estimated 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths annually in the US.
However, Health Secretary Wes Streeting is said to be taking a more cautious approach. Rather than focusing on moderate drinkers, he is reportedly targeting the 4 per cent of heavy drinkers who consume 30 per cent of all alcohol and account for the majority of the UK’s 10,000 annual alcohol-related deaths.
