A new public health campaign in Mexico is drawing attention to a well-established but often overlooked fact: alcohol consumption causes cancer. Launched on 6 October 2026 by the Red de Acción Sobre Alcohol (RASA), a coalition of Mexican civil society organisations, “El alcohol causa cáncer” (Alcohol Causes Cancer) aims to increase public understanding of alcohol-related cancer risks and encourage stronger government action. Through videos shared on social media and educational materials, the campaign highlights the connection between alcohol consumption and seven types of cancer: mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectal and breast cancer. The campaign draws inspiration from the Spread campaign originally developed by the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia, adapting its approach to the Mexican context.
The central message is supported by decades of scientific evidence. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in humans. Importantly, cancer risks are not limited to heavy drinking. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can increase the risk of certain cancers, yet public awareness of this connection remains limited. According to figures presented by RASA, 4,695 cancer deaths in Mexico were attributable to alcohol in 2022, representing 11.2% of all alcohol-attributable deaths in the country. Research from Mexico’s National Institute of Public Health also estimates that reducing alcohol consumption could prevent approximately 21,908 cases of breast cancer over a ten-year period.
The campaign’s videos are designed to make this scientific evidence more accessible and challenge the widespread perception of alcohol as an ordinary, harmless consumer product. Alonso Robledo, spokesperson for RASA, emphasised that the relationship between alcohol and cancer is not a matter of opinion but established scientific fact. He argued that people have a right to know about these risks and that governments have a responsibility to prevent avoidable harm. Rather than blaming individuals who consume alcohol, the campaign focuses on the commercial and social environments that influence drinking behaviour, including widespread advertising, easy availability and affordable prices. Its message is particularly relevant for young people, who are exposed to alcohol marketing and may begin drinking without understanding its long-term health consequences.
Beyond raising awareness, “El alcohol causa cáncer” calls for concrete policy changes based on recommendations from the World Health Organization. RASA is urging Mexico to increase alcohol taxes, restrict alcohol availability, regulate advertising and sponsorship, strengthen health warning labels and limit price promotions that encourage excessive consumption. One central proposal is to reform Mexico’s Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) by introducing a fixed tax linked to the amount of pure alcohol in beverages. According to estimates presented by the campaign, such a reform could reduce alcohol consumption by up to 37% and generate an additional 28 billion Mexican pesos in tax revenue, potentially supporting healthcare and prevention programmes. The campaign also stresses that effective policies must protect children and adolescents by reducing their exposure to alcohol advertising and limiting access to alcoholic beverages.
Ultimately, the campaign presents alcohol-related cancer as a preventable public health problem that requires action beyond individual lifestyle choices. RASA argues that better information must be accompanied by policies that make healthier choices easier and reduce the commercial pressures encouraging alcohol consumption. The initiative brings together organisations working in consumer protection, public health, children’s rights and cancer prevention, including El Poder del Consumidor, Salud Justa MX and the Mexican Association Against Cancer. By combining accessible campaign videos with clear policy demands, “El alcohol causa cáncer” seeks to turn scientific knowledge into public awareness and political action, reminding decision-makers that preventing alcohol-related cancer is both possible and necessary.
Find more from RASA (Mexico, October 2026)
