President-elect Donald Trump and his nominee to run the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., do not drink and have been outspoken about the dangers of alcohol.
But neither rushed on Friday to embrace the recommendation by the outgoing Biden administration that alcoholic beverages carry warning labels about cancer risk.
A combination of factors, including Republicans' traditional resistance to regulation, a powerful industry lobby and the presence of top liquor companies in conservative states, make it unlikely the incoming administration would adopt the health suggestions in the near term.
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy urged the added warning, saying drinking increases the risk of developing several kinds of cancer, including breast, colon and liver cancer.
Trump assumes the presidency on Jan 20 and has yet to comment on the proposal, which would require an act of Congress. Kennedy also did not immediately weigh in.
Brian Darling, a Republican strategist and former senior aide to US Senator Rand Paul, does not see the new Republican-controlled Congress approving adding a cancer-risk label to alcohol.
"I can't imagine that a Republican Congress would act like the nanny state and force labels on alcohol beverages saying that they may cause cancer.
"It just seems inconsistent with freedom and everything that the party stands for."
Trump, whose brother died from alcoholism, has often spoken about the potential harmful effects of drinking.
But his family's business, now run by his sons, has made millions in the hospitality industry largely from the golf courses and hotels it owns around the world. His company also owns a 526ha winery near Charlottesville, Virginia.
On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to slash government regulations that he claimed hamper growth.
Darling said: "He's anti-alcohol, but he's pro-freedom. One of the reasons why people voted Trump into office was because they were sick of the federal government telling them what they can and cannot do."
Republicans hold an edge in both chambers of Congress, which was sworn into office on Friday.
The beer, wine and liquor industry is a formidable force. It contributed US$24.9 million during the 2024 election cycle, according to data from OpenSecrets, a non-partisan group that tracks money in US politics.
Leading US spirit-makers are based in conservative states dominated by Republicans, including Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas.
Those states voted for Trump in large numbers.
Oscar Brock, a member of the Republican National Committee from Tennessee, said he didn't think Americans were ready to tackle the health risks of alcohol in the same way they took on tobacco years ago.
Brock, whose state is home to Jack Daniel's whiskey and many other distillers, said the liquor lobby was perhaps the most influential in Tennessee, fuelled
by money from producers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers.
Texas, which is home to popular brands of tequila and vodka, passed a law expanding alcohol sales in 2021.
Murthy also urged a reassessment of the guideline limits for alcohol consumption to account for cancer risk. In the US, there are about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and about 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths annually.
Kennedy, who must be confirmed by the Senate, would oversee the Food and Drug Administration in his cabinet role and be in a position to influence the rewriting of dietary guidelines for Americans, including recommendations on alcohol intake.
He has sworn off alcohol and drugs after his past struggles with substance abuse and says he attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Murthy, who will leave his post when Trump takes office, could be succeeded by Janette Nesheiwat, a director of a New York chain of urgent care clinics and Trump's pick for surgeon general.
As a health expert who appeared periodically on Fox News, Nesheiwat advocated for limited alcohol consumption and praised young people for drinking less than older Americans. She also must be confirmed by the new Senate.
* The writers are from Reuters