Alcohol could give you cancer. That’s the warning from the U.S. Government this month, as the Surgeon General issues an advisory. In that advisory, he recommends bottles come with warning labels, letting consumers know alcohol is a carcinogen.
This advisory comes as restaurants and retailers in Seattle report more of a demand for booze-free options.
Cheeky and Dry is a non-alcoholic bottle shop in Seattle that opened about a year ago. Owner Kirsten Vracko says business is booming.
“From the time we open the doors to closing the doors, we have people in here,” Vracko told KIRO 7.
Vracko says she and her husband both decided to stop drinking post-pandemic and then made the decision to open up shop. She tells KIRO 7 that everyone who comes in has a story, and she’s just happy to be along on their journey. She hopes her shop can offer support to people wanting to cut out booze.
“Giving it up and making a change is emotional, and my job is to give them choices,” she explained.
She’s not the only one exploring the world of drinks with no alcohol and less alcohol.
“From day one, about 30% of our bar sales fell into the alcohol-free category,” Marceil Van Camp explained.
Van Camp co-owns Kamp Social House with her wife. They say they see more and more patrons choosing non-alcoholic options, especially Gen-Z. They make it a point to offer a variety of alcohol-free drinks.
“I think awareness, there’s more information out there, as we’ve seen with this warning. And there are more options out there,” she explained.
The advisory from the Surgeon General warns people about a fact doctors have known for decades.
“That alcohol causes cancer,” Dr. Rotonya Carr explains.
Carr is the Division Head of Gastroenterology at the University of Washington and a clinical hepatologist. She says she’s optimistic about the advisory.
“Now people can use that information and make better decisions for themselves and their families,” she said.
Dr. Carr says no amount of alcohol is safe, but this is the first public health initiative in our lifetimes making that clear.
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