ECO urges MEPs to ensure consumers receive information about alcohol health risks

The European Cancer Organisation (ECO) has written to all MEPs reminding them of their responsibilities in safeguarding public health and preventing cancer. Specifically, ECO is urging Parliamentarians to ensure that proposed measures to increase citizen awareness of the health risks of alcohol consumption proceed without blockage by the Parliament. 

On Tuesday 15 February and Wednesday 16 February all members of the European Parliament will vote on whether to endorse the position and recommendations developed by the Parliament’s Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA). The BECA report outlines a range of strong recommendations across many areas, including on cancer prevention. 

On alcohol specifically, the BECA report: 

• Recalls that ethanol and acetaldehyde from the metabolism of ethanol in alcoholic beverages are internationally classified as carcinogenic to humans; 
• notes that in Europe an estimated 10% of all cancer cases in men and 3% of all cancer cases in women are attributable to alcohol consumption;
• recalls that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for many different cancers, such as oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectal and female breast cancer;  
• emphasizes that international studies have indicated that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer prevention, and;
• recommends that labelling of alcohol beverages include health warnings. 

However, under the influence of strong lobbying by the alcohol industry, more than a hundred MEPs have indicated support for amendments to weaken the Parliament’s position and to remove recommendations for health warnings on the labelling of alcohol beverages. 

The European Cancer Organisation’s communication to MEPs emphasises what a mistake it would be to miss the opportunity of increasing citizen awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption, and urges MEPs to put the needs of citizens first. 

Speaking ahead of the Parliament’s vote, Prof Andreas Charalambous, president of the European Cancer Organisation, said: “I am concerned that, as a result of alcohol industry lobbying, a misunderstanding has arisen that there is such a thing as non-harmful consumption of alcohol. This is not the case and systematic evidence has demonstrated this. As an example, low levels of alcohol consumption, defined as less than two drinks a day, caused ¼ of all alcohol related breast cancer cases in Europe in 2018. We have to be truly committed in cancer prevention. This can be achieved by making decisions informed by scientific evidence.” 

Supporting these remarks, Dr Isabel Rubio, co-chairwoman of the European Cancer Organization’s Prevention, Early Detection and Screening Network, said: "As a breast cancer specialist, I can speak to the strong evidence of alcohol increasing the risk of cancer. This is one of the reasons that Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan proposes key actions to reduce cancer risk. I ask Members of the European Parliament to play their part in our shared fight against cancer. Allow consumers in all parts of Europe to have a fuller awareness of the health risks of alcohol consumption.” 

Kathy Oliver, co-chairwoman of the ECO Patient Advisory Committee, said: “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make serious advances in both cancer prevention and cancer care. I urge MEPs to do the right thing and open the way for improved labelling of alcoholic beverages, including clear health warnings to consumers about risks. European citizens deserve and need to be informed about the connection between alcohol consumption and cancer.” 

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