Sen. Patrick Brazeau is making a second attempt to advance a bill that would mandate cancer cautionary labels on alcohol packaging. The Senate is currently examining Bill S-202, a revival of Brazeau’s previous legislation that lapsed during the prior Parliament due to the spring election. Brazeau’s personal encounters with alcohol play a significant role in motivating his advocacy for change.
Expressing his concerns, Brazeau emphasized the detrimental impact of alcohol on individuals, citing its role in causing fatalities and mental health issues. He disclosed his own struggles, revealing how alcohol led him to a dark place where he contemplated ending his life. Furthermore, Brazeau has been actively involved in fundraising for cancer research since his mother’s passing in 2004.
During a recent Senate committee session, Brazeau highlighted the strong association between alcohol consumption and seven fatal cancer types, including liver, colon, breast, and oral cancers. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, consuming approximately three drinks daily could double the risk of developing specific cancers and raise the likelihood of colorectal and breast cancer by one-and-a-half times.
Brandon Purcell, the Canadian Cancer Society’s advocacy manager of prevention and early detection, emphasized the critical need for public awareness regarding the cancer-alcohol link, stressing the importance of transparency for consumers. He underscored the right of Canadians to be informed, drawing parallels to the regulations imposed on the tobacco industry.
Jacob Shelley, an associate professor specializing in law and health studies at Western University, highlighted the responsibility of companies to alert consumers about potential risks associated with their products. Shelley criticized the alcohol industry for evading its obligation to provide warning labels, attributing this gap to the industry’s influence and the normalization of alcohol consumption.
Anticipating resistance from alcohol companies, Brazeau pointed out the inconsistency in the absence of warning labels on alcoholic beverages compared to other products. He expressed skepticism regarding the industry’s priorities, accusing them of prioritizing profits over public health. The proposed bill not only aims to include cancer warning labels but also mandates clear information on standard drink measurements and associated health risks.
Shelley emphasized the inadequacy of the current “drink responsibly” messaging in advertising, noting the lack of clarity on what constitutes responsible drinking. 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 labels as an initial step, with plans to introduce another bill prohibiting alcohol advertising to address broader health concerns related to alcohol consumption.