The Bombay High Court asked the central and Maharashtra governments along with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to respond to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking the addition of cancer-warning labels on alcohol bottles.
The PIL was filed by Yash Chilwar, a 24-year-old social activist. He claimed that skipping cancer warning labels includes threats, health risks, and detrimental effects of alcohol consumption. The Bombay Hight Court is now considering the petition, with Chilwar highlighting that it is the right of every consumer to know the contents of the products in its complete and pure form.
A June 25, 2024 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and PAN American Health Organization was cited by the petition emphasizing the urgent need for action against alcohol consumption as the threat has taken the lives of 3 million people. It also stated that the WHO classifies alcohol as a ‘Class I’ carcinogen yet this information is missing in the bottles.
The petitioner highlighted that countries like Ireland and South Korea have already mandated cancer warnings on alcohol, and the U.S. surgeon general has linked alcohol to at least seven types of cancer (breast, mouth, larynx, liver, colorectum, esophagus, throat). The plea referenced Article 47 of the Constitution, which urges the state to prohibit intoxicating substances harmful to health.
Given the severe health risks, the petition argued that adding cancer warnings on alcohol bottles is essential for public awareness and could help reduce consumption.
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