Sen. Patrick Brazeau is making a renewed effort to pass a bill that mandates the inclusion of cancer warning labels on alcohol packaging. The Senate is currently examining Bill S-202, a revival of Brazeau’s previous legislative proposal that lapsed during the last parliamentary session due to the spring election.
Brazeau’s personal struggles with alcohol have fueled his advocacy for this change, citing its destructive impact on lives and mental health, including his own harrowing experiences. Furthermore, his commitment to cancer research stems from his mother’s passing in 2004 due to the disease.
During a recent Senate committee session, Brazeau emphasized the link between alcohol consumption and various forms of cancer, such as liver, colon, breast, and oral cancers. The Canadian Cancer Society warns that consuming approximately three alcoholic drinks daily could significantly elevate the risk of developing specific cancers.
Brandon Purcell, the Canadian Cancer Society’s prevention and early detection advocacy manager, highlighted the urgency for Canadians to be informed about alcohol’s cancer risks, calling for transparency akin to tobacco regulations.
Jacob Shelley, an associate professor at Western University specializing in law and health studies, underscored the legal obligation for companies to disclose product risks, pointing out the alcohol industry’s exemption from such responsibilities.
Anticipating resistance from alcohol companies, Brazeau emphasized the need for warning labels on alcoholic beverages, drawing attention to the incongruity between the absence of such labels and the industry’s profit-driven motives. Additionally, the proposed legislation aims to mandate clear labeling of standard drink measurements and associated health risks as determined by Health Canada.
Shelley emphasized the discrepancy between responsible drinking messaging in alcohol advertising and public awareness of safe consumption limits. A standard drink, as defined by the Cancer Society, equates to five ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of spirits, or 12 ounces of beer.
Brazeau views the cancer warning label initiative as just the initial phase of addressing alcohol-related health concerns, as he is also championing a separate bill that seeks to restrict alcohol advertising.