The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled the Alcohol Policy Playbook, highlighting the detrimental impact of alcohol in the European Region, which has the world’s highest consumption rates at 9.2 litres of pure alcohol per adult annually. Alcohol contributes to nearly 800,000 deaths each year, with a significant toll from noncommunicable diseases like heart disease (40%) and cancer (15%), alongside road deaths, suicides, and violence. Among 15–19-year-olds, alcohol accounts for 25% of fatal injuries.

The economic impact is staggering, with alcohol-related harm consuming up to 2.6% of GDP in high-income countries – costs far exceeding alcohol revenues. For example, in 2018, deaths from alcohol-related cancers cost EU countries €5 billion. Despite this, less than half of Europeans know alcohol increases cancer risk, a fact obscured by profit-driven industry misinformation. With thousands of deaths and huge economic costs every year, it’s clear that something needs to be done urgently.

The Playbook aims to counter industry narratives, emphasising that no level of alcohol consumption is risk-free. It equips policymakers with strategies to implement evidence-based measures, like stricter regulations and awareness campaigns, to prioritise public health over profit. WHO is urging governments to act urgently to reduce preventable harm and achieve global health goals by 2030.

Source: WHO