Despite the US Surgeon General’s recent warning that alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of cancer, most Americans are not planning to change their drinking habits, USA Today reports.
A USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll, conducted from January 7 to 11, found that 86% of respondents had no intention of drinking less alcohol, even after hearing the advisory from Dr. Vivek Murthy. Only 13% indicated they planned to reduce their alcohol consumption in response to the warning.
The poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters, has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. It highlights the persistence of drinking habits, even in the face of public health concerns. While some individuals expressed personal concerns, such as those in Sonoma, California, where wine culture is prominent, many remained unaffected by the advisory.
Suzanne Clark, a 77-year-old retiree from Northern California, shared that she was more mindful of her health at her age but still enjoyed her wine, managing her intake with a specific measure.
“I think that works for me,” she said.
Clark described her practice of measuring and moderating her wine consumption.
Others, like Joe Gil, 39, of Tampa, felt that the Surgeon General’s warning would not influence their behavior. Gil, who typically drinks two to three beers every couple of weeks, expressed that he sees greater health risks in genetically-modified foods than in occasional alcohol consumption.
