Senator Patrick Brazeau is reintroducing a bill in the Senate to include cancer cautionary labels on alcohol packaging. This initiative, known as Bill S-202, is a revival of a previous bill that he introduced in the last parliamentary session. Brazeau is motivated by his personal struggles with alcohol, stating that it has destructive consequences and led him to a dark place in his life. Additionally, his advocacy for cancer research stems from losing his mother to the disease in 2004.
During a Senate committee meeting, Brazeau emphasized that alcohol consumption is associated with seven types of fatal cancers, including liver, colon, breast, and oral cancers. The Canadian Cancer Society highlights that consuming approximately three alcoholic drinks per day could double the risk of developing certain cancers and increase the likelihood of colorectal and breast cancer by one-and-a-half times.
Brandon Purcell, the Canadian Cancer Society’s advocacy manager, stressed the importance of informing Canadians about alcohol’s cancer risk, as over half of the population remains unaware of this connection. He emphasized the public’s right to transparency and protection, similar to the regulations in place for tobacco products.
Jacob Shelley, an associate professor specializing in law and health studies at Western University, pointed out the alcohol industry’s negligence in providing warning labels to consumers. He highlighted the industry’s influence and normalization of alcohol consumption, which has hindered efforts to implement such labeling requirements.
Brazeau anticipates opposition from alcohol companies regarding the bill, noting their profit-driven motives over public health concerns. The proposed legislation aims to mandate explicit labels detailing what constitutes a standard drink, the quantity of drinks per container, and the quantity considered a health risk by Health Canada.
Shelley emphasized that while advertisements often promote responsible drinking, there is a lack of awareness among consumers about the actual limits. A standard drink is defined as five ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of spirits, or 12 ounces of beer, as per the Cancer Society’s guidelines.
Looking beyond cancer warnings, Brazeau also supports another bill that seeks to ban alcohol advertising, viewing these measures as crucial steps to address the broader health implications associated with alcohol consumption.