Alaska has become the first state in the nation to require alcohol retailers to post cancer warning signs at the point of sale, after a provision spearheaded by state Rep. Andrew Gray (D-Anchorage) was signed into law.
The new requirement, part of Senate Bill 15, will mandate signs stating: “Alcohol use can cause cancer, including breast and colon cancers.” Gray, a physician assistant, introduced the measure to address widespread public unawareness of alcohol’s link to cancer — a connection health researchers say is well-established but often overlooked.
“I want Alaskans to make informed decisions about their health,” Gray said in a news release. “As a medical provider myself, I wish every Alaskan knew all of the health harms associated with alcohol, especially its potential to cause common life-threatening cancers.”
According to the American Cancer Society, alcohol consumption is the third leading cause of cancer in women and the fourth in men. Even moderate drinking can raise cancer risk; consuming one standard drink per day is linked to a 4% increase in breast cancer risk, while drinking two to four drinks daily can raise the risk by 23%.
Medical experts applauded Alaska’s move. Anchorage internist Dr. Madeleine Grant said most patients are unaware of the carcinogenic effects of alcohol, adding that increased education could help prevent common cancers and reduce healthcare costs. Tim Naimi, director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, called the measure “an important step” for consumer protection, noting that alcohol remains a leading cause of health and social problems in Alaska.
Alaska Native populations are particularly at risk, with the highest documented rates of colon cancer in the world, according to a 2018 study in The International Journal of Circumpolar Health.
“This bill represents an important milestone,” Thomas Gremillion, director of Food Policy at the Consumer Federation of America, said in the release. “Survey after survey shows that fewer than half of adults know alcohol increases cancer risk. Provisions like Representative Gray’s will enable more informed drinking decisions — and ultimately save lives.”
Gray, who represents Anchorage’s U-MED district, continues to work in health care as a physician assistant at Alaska Urgent Care.
