Therefore, our testimony today urges ATF to take all necessary steps to ensure that all health claims and directional statements made by alcoholic-beverage producers are nonmisleading and carefully regulated to avoid consumer deception.
Alcohol is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
Alcohol consumption is associated with cirrhosis, numerous cancers, hemorrhagic stroke, birth defects, injuries, violence, poisoning, and suicide. Even the moderate use of alcohol has risks for some drinkers. Alcohol's anti-clotting ability, while potentially protective against heart attacks, may increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. 3 Alcohol may interact harmfully with more than one thousand medications and worsen advanced heart failure. We do not dispute the studies that associate moderate drinking with a reduced risk of heart disease in some groups of people.