Mumbai: Bombay High Court Directs Government Authorities to Respond to PIL for Cancer Warning Labels on Alcohol Bottles
Mumbai, 31st January 2025: The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed 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 demanding the inclusion of cancer warning labels on alcohol bottles.
The petition was filed by 24-year-old Pune resident Yash Chilwar, who argued that the absence of cancer warnings on alcohol bottles exacerbates health risks and contributes to unsafe consumption of alcohol.
Chilwar, represented by advocate Pooja Phagnekar, stated, “Consumers have the right to full disclosure regarding the contents of products they purchase.”
The petition referenced a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization, published on June 25, 2024, which revealed that over 3 million deaths are attributed to alcohol consumption, necessitating urgent action.
The petition highlighted that the WHO has classified alcohol as a Class I carcinogen, but this critical information is not provided on alcohol packaging. It noted that countries like Ireland and South Korea have already implemented warnings linking alcohol consumption to cancer, while the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory has acknowledged alcohol as a cause of at least seven types of cancer, emphasizing the importance of labelling cancer risks.
Further, the petition cited Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, which advocates for the state to work toward eliminating harmful substances like intoxicating drinks and drugs that pose health risks.
Chilwar contended that due to the serious health dangers associated with alcohol, cancer warnings should be mandatory on bottles. He argued that such warnings would help raise awareness and potentially reduce alcohol consumption. The petition also pointed out that products like cigarettes and tobacco are already labelled with cancer warnings, and similar labels on alcohol bottles would help mitigate the harmful effects of excessive alcohol use.
The petitioner additionally requested that the Centre establish regulations to enforce the implementation of cancer warning labels within a specific timeframe.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati H. Dangre issued notices to the relevant authorities, asking them to respond in the next hearing.
