Smoking and drinking both cause cancer, yet only tobacco products come with health warning labels. Experts say It's time for a change.

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, recently released an advisory that calls for adding cancer warning labels to alcohol. The report said that alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States,

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is calling for new warning labels on alcoholic drinks that inform consumers of the health risks — particularly an increased risk of at least seven types of cancer, including breast cancer, liver cancer and colon cancer.

These labels, which currently highlight the dangers of drinking while pregnant or driving under the influence, may soon carry an additional, eye-opening warning: Drinking alcohol could increase the risk of cancer.

Even advocacy groups supportive of more warnings about alcohol acknowledged the effort faces serious challenges.

Almost a year after a University of Iowa report linked alcohol consumption to a greater risk of cancer, the U.S. Surgeon General is now recommending new warning labels on all cans and bottles of booze.

Alcohol is linked to seven types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, the surgeon general says, and new warning labels should reflect that.

On January 3, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory on the association between alcohol and the risk of cancer. The advisory outlines current scientific literature and concludes that alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States.