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September 24, 2018

Alcohol consumption is rising in India. What steps can the governments’ take to prevent this serious threat? (200 words)

Refer – Financial Express

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IAS Parliament 6 years

KEY POINTS

·         According to WHO, in just over a decade (2005-2016), per capita alcohol consumption in India more than doubled from 2.4 litres to 5.7 litres.

·         Easy availability of liquor, access to alcohol at home, curiosity, peer pressure and its association with a certain kind of lifestyle have contributed to this shift in drinking patterns.

·         Although the Indian constitution includes the prohibition of alcohol among its directive principles, alcohol policy is devolved to individual states.

·         Since most states derive huge revenue from alcohol taxation, they are generally ambivalent towards stemming its flow.

·         The harmful use of alcohol is a primary causal factor in more than 200 diseases.

·         There are also significant social costs, in terms of violence against women, and economic costs, in terms of public healthcare burden arising out of alcohol dependence, lost productivity, etc.

Suggestions

·         Alcohol consumption as a habit is more likely to be taken up at a younger age and targeting such age groups is regarded as an important step to reduce the harm of alcohol abuse.

·         To prevent them from being addicted –

1.       Make students aware about alcohol and its effects on their body as a part of their curriculum.

2.      Increase the age at which alcohols can be purchased

·         Given the paucity of de-addiction centres, the states must work to create more de-addiction centres.

·         Ban or restrict advertising of alcohol.

·         Credible, evidence based educational campaigns in the mass media about the consequences of alcohol abuse.

·         Provide guidelines for parents to prevent alcohol abuse amongst adolescents.

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