Boris Fishman, an author and wine enthusiast, passionately argues against the Surgeon General's proposal for cancer warnings on alcohol. He highlights the rich history and joy associated with wine, urging people to savor its emotional and sensory experience. Fishman reflects on changing cultural attitudes towards wine and cautions against a one-size-fits-all approach to health warnings. He advocates for appreciating life's imperfections alongside the unique moments that wine can create, encouraging a deeper understanding of happiness beyond mere safety.
The Surgeon General's recommendation for alcohol cancer warnings highlights the need for nuanced discussions about health risks and cultural significance.
Boris Fishman emphasizes that wine represents more than just a health risk; it embodies personal connections, memories, and societal traditions.
Deep dives
Health Risks of Alcohol Consumption
There is a significant causal link between alcohol consumption and several types of cancer, leading to approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths annually in the United States. This alarming statistic has prompted the Surgeon General to recommend that all alcohol sales carry cancer warning labels. However, the recommendation raises concerns about the broader implications of such warnings, as they often present a binary approach to a complex issue. The increasing societal trend of abstaining from alcohol, illustrated by movements like 'dry January' and 'sober October', reflects a growing consciousness regarding the health risks associated with drinking.
The Cultural Value of Wine
Wine is cherished for its deep cultural significance and the personal connections it fosters, as demonstrated by the author's own experiences. The writer recounts a poignant moment in Istanbul, where a specific wine fragrance evoked vivid memories of their childhood in Soviet Minsk, highlighting the powerful emotional resonance of wine. This underscores the argument that the conversation surrounding alcohol needs more nuance, focusing not solely on risks but also on the joys and traditions associated with moderate consumption. While acknowledging the need for consumer education and health warnings, the author emphasizes the importance of recognizing the richness and meaning that wine can bring to people's lives.
Vivek Murthy, the surgeon general, recently recommended that cancer warnings be included on all alcohol products. The author and wine enthusiast Boris Fishman argues that doing so would place all forms of liquor in the same bucket — one that ignores the history, the generations of labor and the joy that accompany sipping a glass of wine. He’d like people “to think about this as just one example out of many in a life that risks becoming stripped of a certain kind of magic because we’re trying to protect ourselves out of existence.”
Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com.
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