Despite the increase in liquor prices, the number of people drinking in the country is increasing rapidly and per capita consumption of alcohol is also increasing. The latest data released by the World Health Organization states that between 2005 and 2016, consumption of alcohol per capita in the country has more than doubled. In the year 2005, per capita alcohol consumption was 2.4 liters in the country and in 2016 it increased to 5.7 liters.
It has been said in the report of the organization that due to the ill effects of alcohol, problems like violence, mental illnesses and injury have increased, the number of people who are suffering from diseases such as cancer and brain stroke has also increased. The organization has made a concerted initiative to curb this problem which is the most serious threat to the development of a healthy society.
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to at least two hundred kinds of diseases. According to the report, more alcohol increases the risk of infection like TB, HIV and pneumonia. Head of World Health Organization Tedrose Anshom Gebreyusus says, to curb the growing trend of consumption of alcohol and to achieve a target of 10% cut in its global consumption between 2010 and 2025 concrete steps in this direction should be taken. He says that in order to save people’s life member countries should think on creative methods like taxing on alcohol and banning its advertisement.
India:World’s Third Largest Market
India is the world’s third largest liquor market. Alcohol is the fastest growing industry . But what is the reason for this fast pace growth? Sources linked to this industry say that the growing addiction of alcohol consumption in the youth is mainly responsible for this.
In many areas including information technology, the youth get paid heavily in their early jobs and the rapidly growing pub culture has also promoted it. This industry is quite flexible. Despite the rising prices of various brands of liquor, neither their demand is low nor do people reduce drinking. On the contrary people start consuming other cheap brands.
Dilip Mohanty, the head of a non-governmental organization, says that due to the revolution in the IT industry and better pay-allowances in cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Gurugram, now a large section of the youth has a lot of money. After five days of hard work in a week, they spend two days of the weekend with their friends in pub or bar.
In recent years country is flooded with alcohol manufacturing companies. Every month a new brand comes in the market. Mohanty says, there are two main reasons for the increase in alcohol consumption in the country, lack of awareness and availability. Now every year lakhs of Indians are going abroad to study, job or vacation. There they easily get information about new varieties of liquor. Besides this, dozens of shops are being opened in every street. It is easy to select alcohol brands especially for young people due to availability and availability of a large range of prices in the market.
Sociologists say that the level of living conditions, globalization, dignified lifestyle and the consumption of alcohol in society is not seen as bad as it was before, the main reasons for the increased consumption of alcohol in the country. World Health Organization says that about 30 percent of the total population in India consumes alcohol. Four to 13 percent of them drink alcohol every day.
Worrisome situation for society
Health experts say that the rising consumption of alcohol in the country is a matter of concern. This habit only invites many diseases at an early age. These include mouth and throat cancer, liver cirrhosis and heart problems. Besides, there is a fear of damage to the brain due to regular consumption in excess quantity.
Dr. Sunil Awasthi, a psychiatrist, says that drinking alcohol for long periods of time may cause problems like personality disorder. In many states of the country, despite the imposition of prohibition, people by other means find alcohol to drink. Experts say that the main reason is not to strictly enforce the prohibition of alcoholism. Apart from this, most states, there is a rule not to sell alcohol to youths aged 18 to 21 years. But these rules are openly blown away. The police and other related agencies also remain silent in this matter.
Cheerrss Desk