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A new draft report from the European Parliament’s Committee on Public Health has put alcohol labelling back at the centre of EU cancer policy. Published on 23 March 2026 and advanced in committee on 14 April, the report calls on the European Commission to move forward with legislative proposals on alcohol health warnings “without further delay.”

A new study published in the European Journal of Public Health found that people who know alcohol can cause cancer are more likely to support stronger alcohol policies, especially measures on pricing, availability and point of sale regulation. The research covered 3,620 respondents in Bulgaria, Ireland, Latvia, Slovakia and Spain, and points to public awareness as an important factor in building support for more effective alcohol control.

Canadian researchers find that strong alcohol policies—cancer warning labels and minimum unit pricing—could prevent hundreds of cancer cases and deaths. A combined $2-per‑drink minimum price and warning label showed the greatest impact, with the largest benefits for lower‑income and younger populations.

Reducing alcohol consumption in Australia by just one litre per person annually could significantly cut deaths from several major cancers, especially among older adults. A La Trobe University study using 70 years of national data links long‑term drinking to higher mortality from UADT, liver, colorectal, and breast cancers.

Nearly half of Tasmanians are unaware or deny that alcohol increases cancer risk, according to new research commissioned by the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council Tasmania (ATDC). While most recognise alcohol’s links to mental health, pregnancy and injury risks, 45% remain uninformed about its role in cancer, prompting calls for stronger public education campaigns.

A Working Group convened by IARC reviewed evidence on the effectiveness of alcohol policy interventions in reducing population-level alcohol consumption. Sufficient evidence was found for measures such as tax increases, minimum pricing, outlet density and sale time restrictions, marketing bans, and government monopolies. These interventions support WHO's Global Strategy to reduce harmful alcohol use.