A recently released study shows that there is no observed increased association between moderate alcohol consumption and cancer mortality. Moreover, the study indicates that light alcohol consumption correlates with lower cancer mortality. Heavy drinking is associated with higher cancer mortality.
Published in May in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and conducted by seasoned cancer researcher Laura C. Pinheiro, PhD, the study is entitled, “Re-evaluating the Alcohol-Cancer Link: Long Term Cancer Mortality Outcomes.”
The study concludes:
“Compared to abstainers, heavy drinkers had an increased risk of cancer death, and light drinkers had a decreased risk of cancer mortality, and there was no association between moderate drinking and cancer mortality.”
CALLING INTO QUESTION PREVIOUS ANTI-ALCOHOL CAMPAIGNS
NAWR points out that this newest study calls into question the World Health Organization’s 2023 declaration that any amount of alcohol consumption increases cancer risk. The new study also calls into question the 2025 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory that recommends cancer-related warning labels on wine and other forms of alcohol. Finally, this new study calls into question the validity of New York City’s ongoing Buzz Kill” campaign, urging New Yorkers to drink less to avoid getting cancer.
Besides calling into question the claims concerning alcohol consumption and cancer, this study emphasizes that it is heavy drinking, not moderate or light drinking, that should be addressed in health policy. Additionally, the study’s authors reiterate that cancer prevention should evaluate alcohol within a “holistic lifestyle context.” Too often, anti-alcohol campaigns fail to account for diet, smoking status, physical activity, and socio-economic status as this study does.NAWR believes this kind of balanced, science-forward approach to studying alcohol and health is critical to getting at the facts.,
ABOUT NAWR
The National Association of Wine Retailers is a national organization promoting the interests of independent fine wine retailers and the retail tier. NAWR seeks to create a fair playing field for retailers through advocacy, inter-industry collaboration, and education. For more information, see http://www.nawr.org
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CONTACT:
Tom Wark, Executive Director
707-246-6451 • [email protected]