In January of 2025, the U.S. Surgeon General released a new Advisory describing the scientific evidence that alcohol consumption causes at least seven different types of cancer, and recommending that Congress amend federal law to provide for a cancer warning on alcoholic beverage labels. Congress has shown no signs of acting on this recommendation. However, the Surgeon General’s report paves the way for state and local legislators to protect their constituents from the alcohol industry’s aggressive marketing and misinformation campaigns by requiring a cancer warning statement on alcohol advertising. This CFA white paper explains why this policy option makes sense as a strategy to reduce alcohol-related harms, and how advocates and legislators can maximize their chances of success.