[Answered] Analyze the dichotomy in Indian public policy towards alcohol consumption, focusing on the balance between individual choice, public health, and revenue generation.

Recent record sale of alcohol during the festive season exposes hypocrisy around liquor and ambivalence around public policy to ban or use liquor as a source of revenue.

Dichotomy in public policy toward alcohol consumption

• Individual choice: Encouraging people to make their own decisions, including whether or not to drink, is regarded as a crucial component of personal autonomy. Strong alcohol laws are opposed because adults should be free to make life decisions for themselves and excessive government control over human preferences is inappropriate.
• Cultural significance: Alcohol use has religious or traditional significance and is firmly ingrained in certain cultural contexts. Limiting alcohol use may be perceived as a violation of personal liberties and cultural customs, raising questions about diversity and cultural autonomy.
• Social issues: Domestic violence, family strife, and unstable economies are just a few of the socioeconomic problems that underlie alcohol dependence. With an emphasis on harm reduction and public benefit, policymakers may enact rules to address the effects of alcohol misuse on society.
• Health risks: Abuse of alcohol presents serious health hazards, such as addiction, liver problems, and a higher chance of aggression and accidents. Policymakers are taking steps to lower general alcohol use because they are worried about the public health burden associated with alcohol-related illnesses and injuries.
• Revenue generation: Through taxes, licensing, and other fees, the alcohol sector provides the government with a sizable amount of income. Because of the possible financial losses as well as the effects on associated businesses and jobs, policymakers might be reluctant to impose restrictive restrictions.

Conclusion

Debates over liquor policy should address the fallacious dichotomy between traditionalism and modernism, the purported importance of religion, and the trade-offs between income generating and mitigating health effects. Limiting access (licensing and age bars on sale), increasing taxes, banning marketing, and increasing knowledge are all important steps in a public health strategy to reduce alcohol consumption. The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Constitution, which state that “the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health,” should also guide public policy.