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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts bill requires alcohol-selling establishments to post cancer risk warning signs
Last action · January 7, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and MeansSponsors: John Keenan and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
Establishments that sell are required to post a prominent sign warning customers that alcohol use causes various cancers, under legislation filed in Massachusetts. The commission must prepare and distribute the signs, which feature black boldface capital letters of at least 48 point on a yellow background.
Bars, restaurants, and other alcohol retailers must incur the operational change of displaying state-provided cancer warning signs in conspicuous locations.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Establishments that sell alcoholic beverages
Must display state-provided cancer warning signs in conspicuous locations according to public health regulations.
Consumers of alcoholic beverages
Provided with visible health warnings regarding cancer risks at locations where alcohol is sold.
Key Facts
- Establishments selling alcoholic beverages must post a sign stating, 'Warning: Alcohol use causes breast, colon, esophagus, larynx, liver, mouth and throat cancers.'
- Signs must be printed in black boldface capital letters not less than 48 point in size on a yellow background.
- The commission is responsible for preparing and distributing the signs to businesses.
- The commissioner of public health will establish reasonable rules and regulations regarding where the signs must be placed.
Show all 5 facts
- The requirement is enacted by inserting a new section 79 into chapter 138 of the General Laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which businesses are required to post the warning signs?
What specifications are required for the warning signs?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- Jan 7, 2026SenateCommitteeBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- Jun 6, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 06/11/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
- Feb 27, 2025HouseHouse concurred
- Feb 27, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to the committee on Public Health
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance50How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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