Alcohol- The Silent Killer
- Vikram Gopinath
In India, elections come with a peculiar season - "ethanol season." Liquor stores across the country witness a surge in sales as campaigning heats up. While news channels have been screaming sharaab ghotala in Delhi, politicians are promising some fine alcohol at affordable prices.
And the government’s getting tipsy with the alcohol tax, but the voters are left with a splitting headache. Seems like the only thing flowing freely is booze money, not common sense!
A quick look at the finances of most states in India reveals that excise duty is one of the main sources of income for states, varying from 10% to 25% of their revenue. The other revenues include State Goods and Services Tax (SGST), sales tax/VAT, stamp duty and registration fees and taxes on vehicles.
21 States made more than 15% of their yearly revenue from alcohol excise tax. In the 2019–20 Fiscal Year, State/UT alcohol excise revenue totalled 30 billion USD (approx).
States do need the money, and they see no harm in seeking a pound of their citizen’s liver. Probably hoping that the liver will regenerate itself after damage.
How much alcohol is too much?
The World Health Organisation categorically states there is no safe amount of alcohol that does not affect health. Alcohol, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (the highest group), causes at least seven types of cancer. The risk increases substantially the more alcohol is consumed, and the impact on health begins from the first drop. Premature mortality, disability and an overall impact on mental health are some of the other leading risk factors.
The World Health Organization estimates that alcohol kills three million people throughout the world every year. In India, consumption is estimated to contribute to nearly 1.4 million cases across 19 different diseases where alcohol is known to be a major risk factor.
Prohibition Party?
While abstinence due to religion has encouraged people to refrain from consuming alcohol, measures like prohibition have been less successful. States like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Kerala have faced difficulty in implementing prohibition due to smuggling across state borders, a sharp decrease in tax revenues, a rise in illicit liquor and its unintended consequences leading to deaths. Currently, five Indian states (Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland, and parts of Manipur) have implemented complete bans on alcohol sales. However, the effectiveness of these bans in achieving their intended public health goals remains debatable. Evidence suggests unintended consequences, with Bihar experiencing a rise in fatalities from illicit liquor consumption and Gujarat witnessing the emergence of a robust black market for alcoholic beverages.
Blackouts to Bright Lights
Despite the known dangers of alcohol for health, particularly its link to cancer, public awareness about this risk remains low. Healthcare professionals should be empowered and trained to discuss alcohol-related cancer risks with patients. And there needs to be widespread public awareness campaigns that are necessary on a national and state level.
The Centre would do good by bringing in a national liquor policy, highlighting the need for awareness, education and regulation. The information gap needs to be filled with the help of the states in raising awareness regarding the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, especially among young adults who are likely to consume liquor due to peer pressure or the excitement of experimentation. Schools could be encouraged to incorporate age-appropriate alcohol education programs to promote responsible decision-making among young people.
The following two key strategies can combat alcohol dependence and its associated stigma. First, public awareness campaigns can normalize seeking help. By showcasing recovery journeys and emphasizing the availability of support, these campaigns can make treatment feel less daunting. Second, governments can incentivize private hospitals in high-risk areas to establish dedicated addiction treatment centres. This would increase access to professional help in communities most affected by alcohol abuse.
Considering the states have a strong hold on the regulation of liquor stores, they could explore incentivizing alcohol companies to develop and promote zero-alcohol beverage options.
One for the road
To conclude, the economic benefits of alcohol sales should not come at the cost of public health. India urgently needs to prioritize raising awareness about the health consequences of alcohol consumption and create a more informed and health-conscious society, ensuring a brighter future for its citizens.
Confession time: I am still a gin-thusiast (it's a real thing, I swear!). But these days, I'm more focused on mindful moderation. Cheers to responsible drinking!