Say no to alcohol: The case for abstinence

Source– The post is based on the article “Say no to alcohol: The case for abstinence” published in the The Indian Express on 7th October 2022.

Syllabus: GS1- Social issues. GS2- Government policies and interventions

News– The article explains the challenges associated with liquor consumption in India. It also explains the need for communitarian action to reduce liquor consumption.

What is our historical legacy against liquor consumption?

Temperance movement against liquor consumption began in the 1880s. Gandhi ji made it part of the fight against the British state.

Gandhi’s objection was to the state having a role in the production and distribution of alcohol. He did not support the complete prohibition. It will lead to corrupt practices by the state. He advocated self-regulation to avoid liquor consumption.

Rajaji argued in favour of effective state intervention. The Indian culture against liquor consumption would make this process less corrupt.

What are the negative impacts of alcohol consumption?

It leads to violence against women.

It mostly impacts the poorest sections of society.

It is linked with multimorbidity, lower life expectancy, mental impairment, and loss of productivity.

WHO, have issued stronger warnings against risk-free levels of responsible drinking and claims of beneficial health effects.

A 2019 study in Science Direct estimates that alcohol-related deaths in India. It  would lead to a loss of 258 million life years between 2011 and 2050, an average annual loss of 1.45% of GDP.

A Lancet study claims that under 40 groups of people are at greatest risk due to liquor consumption.

What are the reasons behind increasing liquor consumption?

Older cultural norms against liquor consumption have weakened.

Alcohol is being glamorised and normalised by households.

State governments policies have further compounded the problem. They earn higher revenues from the alcohol industry. It disincentives them against making difficult choices against liquor consumption.

Why is there a need for action at the community level?

A study published this year by the US National Bureau of Economic Research states that it takes a village to discourage drinking and sustain abstinence.

All drinking, whether small or large, creates negative impacts that are unpredictable.