2023-09-16 21:03:37
A bill introduced by Senator Patrick Brazeau proposes putting a label warning of the links between alcohol consumption and cancer on all bottles of alcoholic beverages across the country.
These inscriptions would be similar to the labeling already present on cigarette packets by clearly explaining to consumers the health risks.
“We are not trying to reinvent the wheel,” explains Mr. Brazeau, in an interview with LCN. We have now known since 1988 that alcohol is a class 1 carcinogen, just like tobacco and asbestos.
“We know that cigarette packets and tobacco and cannabis products have labels,” he continues. My question for the alcohol industry is why should they have a free pass when their product causes cancer? It’s science that tells us.”
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer of the head or neck, breast, colon or rectum, esophagus, liver, stomach and pancreas.
“Drinking regarding three and a half glasses a day can double or even triple your risk of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx or esophagus,” we can read on its website. The less alcohol you drink, the more you reduce your risk of cancer.”
Warnings similar to those proposed by Mr. Brazeau are already displayed on bottles in South Korea and will soon be in Ireland.
“There are labels in South Korea and also from 2026, Ireland will have labels where there will be a mention of the causation of cancer. If a country like that can do it, it’s certain that in Canada, we can do it too.”
It was as a result of personal problems that he came up with the idea of proposing legislation of this type.
“There was a period in my life when alcohol took me to the bottom,” says Patrick Brazeau. I attempted suicide twice and it was following that that I started researching alcohol and its harmful effects.”
“I realized that I was part of the 75% of Canadians who were not aware that there was a causality between alcohol consumption and cancer,” he adds. That’s why I thought it was important, from a health perspective, to introduce this bill.”
His bill, S-254 named “An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages)” will soon be studied by a Senate committee.
Watch the full interview in the video above
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