The U.S. Surgeon General Has a Problem with Alcohol
Ben Haines, 28th January 2025.
There’s a lot of noise around alcohol right now. The alcohol debate has always simmered, but today’s public discourse feels louder, sharper and more divisive than ever.
Earlier this month, outgoing U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a 2025 Advisory declaring that all alcohol - no matter the type - can be directly linked to significantly increased risks of at least seven types of cancer. The report doesn’t just generalise; it names specific cancers “thus far” confirmed to have a causal relationship with alcohol and details four distinct mechanisms through which alcohol can cause them. Its closing recommendation? Health warning labels on all alcoholic beverages, akin to those on cigarette packs, bluntly addressing those cancer risks.
What’s most striking about this Advisory is its tone - unyielding, absolute, and without nuance. It mirrors a cultural shift. Anti-alcohol rhetoric is growing louder, amplified by the sober-curious movement, which often frames alcohol as poison or a scam. This rigid framing strips the debate of complexity, reducing it to stark statistics, fear-driven messaging, and a one-size-fits-all narrative.
And yet, not all alcohol is created equal. A bottle of Pinot Noir, thoughtfully farmed and crafted by a dedicated artisan pouring love and resources into their work, is worlds apart from the mass-produced cans of sugary bourbon and cola lining supermarket shelves.
Confounding lifestyle choices and habits within the respective consumer segments also play a role, adding layers of context that are often overlooked. Yet, this nuance - the humanity and complexity surrounding alcohol - is being drowned out by oversimplified statistics, broad generalisations and reductive pie charts.
The messages in this Advisory, and from credible voices such as Dr. Andrew Huberman, can’t be ignored. Nor should they be. I’ve reassessed my relationship with alcohol in light of this mounting evidence, and significantly reduced my alcohol intake over the years. But navigating this terrain isn’t easy. Pursuing truth requires nuance - a willingness to look beyond the headlines and seek out personal stories and contextual perspectives. After all, a glass of wine isn’t worth it if guilt overshadows the pleasure.
Our relationship with alcohol is deeply personal, shaped by experiences, beliefs, and individual contexts. It can harm, enrich, or do both. Balance is key, but balance looks different for everyone.
As a winemaker, I’ve lived and breathed alcohol for three decades - creating, tasting, intellectualising, promoting, enjoying wine and its culture. I’ve walked the mental, physical, and social minefield of alcohol and have had to navigate a delicate balance between my craft and my health. For me, they are inseparable.
Ironically, this tension has led me to something deeper: a mindfulness of all forms of consumption, and a heightened awareness of my physical and mental well-being. Over the years, the interplay between my craft and my health has been a source of growth, creativity, and meaning. I’ve designed a life where this delicate balance keeps me engaged and energised, fuelling both my commitment to creating, and my endless pursuit of self-improvement.
If I could speak to Dr. Murthy and his cohorts, I’d say this: balance and context matters. Creativity, freedom, and personal agency must also have a seat at the table. The world needs room for expression - for the human stories behind what we create, and consume.
And if that sounds too esoteric, take this: whatever your “poison” may be, find your balance. And never let guilt overshadow the joy of mindful living.