Alcohol consumption

Alcohol use is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, particularly among those of working age. High alcohol intake is a major risk factor for heart diseases and strokes, liver cirrhosis and certain cancers, but even low and moderate alcohol consumption increases the long-term risk of these diseases. Alcohol also contributes to more car crashes and injuries, violence, homicides, suicides and mental health disorders than any other psychoactive substance, particularly among young people. Alcohol-related diseases and injuries incur a high cost to society. An average of 2.4% of health expenditure is spent on dealing with the harm caused by alcohol consumption, and the figure reaches as high as 4% in some countries (OECD, 2021[1]).