Alaska Joins California in Requiring Cancer Warning Signs for Alcohol Sales

Under a bill that became law on April 25, Alaska bars and liquor stores will now be required to post signage warning of alcohol’s alleged link to colon and breast cancer. Set to take effect on August 1, this marks the first time a state legislature has required retailers to warn about the relationship between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Currently, California is the only other state that requires similar warnings, mandating businesses that serve or sell alcoholic beverages to post signs regarding an increased risk of cancer generally.

Alaska’s new health warning—which will be added to already mandated warnings about alcohol use during pregnancy—must be visible to customers and will read:

Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, was the leading proponent of the new mandate. The bill—which is part of a measure that allows employees under 21 to serve alcohol at restaurants and breweries—passed with a unanimous vote in the Senate on April 4. Governor Mike Dunleavy also allowed the measure to become law without his signature.

Gray gave credit to former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and his advisory report warning how alcohol consumption, even at moderate levels, increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer (including colon and breast cancer). Dr. Murthy’s advisory similarly inspired members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to introduce a bill earlier this year requiring all alcoholic beverages sold in Pennsylvania to be labeled with a similar warning regarding the link between alcohol and cancer generally. That bill remains pending.

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Mayer Brown LLP continues to monitor for developments related to former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s call for cancer warnings on alcohol labels. For more information, check out our February Legal Update regarding the regulatory and legal implications of Dr. Murthy’s alcohol advisory, and our April Legal Update discussing the regulation of health claims made in connection with the advertising and promotion of alcoholic beverages.