A Surgeon General’s Advisory released on Friday, Jan. 3, is warning alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S.

It’s the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, after tobacco and obesity, the office said.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wants Americans to know that drinking is a preventable risk factor for cancer, and he issued an advisory that calls for warning labels to be placed on alcoholic beverages.

A new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General states that regular alcohol consumption, even in moderation, can increase the risk of certain cancers. The new guidelines recommend that cancer warnings be placed on the labels of alcoholic beverages,

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy noted that consuming alcohol increases the risk for "at least seven types of cancer" including breast, colon and liver.

The U.S. Surgeon General’s call for cancer warnings on alcohol is being welcomed by some substance-misuse prevention advocates in New Hampshire. In an advisory issued last week, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called alcohol the “third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States,” contributing to around 20,000 cancer deaths each year.

Less than half of Americans recognize alcohol as a leading risk factor for cancer, unlike 89% aware of links between smoking and cancer, the surgeon general said.

As cancer has been linked to alcohol use, per the surgeon general's new advisory, addiction experts offer helpful tips to cut back on drinking in a safe, healthy way.

"The fact that alcohol is associated with cancer is nothing new. Alcohol is an established carcinogen," Dr. Kathleen Egan at Moffitt Cancer Center said. She says alcohol has been

US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned in a recent advisory about alcohol use increasing cancer risk. The advisory notes that alcohol can increase the risk of throat, liver, esophageal, mouth, larynx (voice box),