Rethinking Alcohol Control: The Unregulated Drink

Despite decades of evidence linking alcohol to severe health outcomes, its consumption continues to rise globally, and India is no exception. With even moderate drinking now under scrutiny, are we overdue for a policy rethink?

Why is Alcohol Bad for Human Health?

Even alcoholic beverages with lower alcohol content, like wine or beer, pose health risks. Federal reports recently released in the United States have linked even one drink per day to a wide range of adverse health effects. There is no safe amount of alcohol consumption, according to numerous warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO).

In this year's updated federal dietary guidelines, which may include new recommendations on alcohol consumption, the US government issued medical reports that apply to both men and women. The US spirits industry criticised the findings, but the data clearly associates daily alcohol use with serious health concerns.

Alcoholic beverages have been consumed for thousands of years, and while some past studies suggested potential benefits, these claims are increasingly being debunked.

Alcohol Consumption in India

The Indian medical community has long argued that drinking alcohol can result in permanent harm, including alterations to one’s DNA. A study from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru suggests these alterations might persist even after alcohol use is stopped.

Yet, over the past three decades, alcohol consumption in India has steadily increased. National Family Health Survey data and studies in The Lancet reflect this trend. As disposable income has grown, so too has access to and social acceptance of alcohol. Drinking is increasingly viewed as a symbol of status or empowerment, particularly among urban women.

During the pandemic years, this shift became more visible, as young people frequently gathered in pubs, bars, and clubs. Despite growing awareness of alcohol's harms, liquor sales during the 2024 Christmas–New Year’s celebrations hit record highs.

Options Without Alcohol

What about non-alcoholic alternatives for those who want to quit drinking?

India offers a variety of alcohol-free alternatives, such as non-alcoholic beers and fruit-based drinks, but these do not entirely work.

Traditional beer contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. While non-alcoholic beer is less harmful than regular beer, it is still not completely safe.

The non-alcoholic beverage market in India is dominated by fruit-based, dairy-based, and soft drinks. These are often more affordable than alcoholic products, making them more accessible to a wider population.

Still, alcohol remains a significant source of state revenue. It has been excluded from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework so that states can retain full control over its taxation.

References:

1. World Health Organization. No Level of Alcohol Consumption Is Safe for Our Health. Accessed June 25, 2025. https://www.who.int/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health.

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025. 9th ed. December 2020. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov.

3. Pulla, Priyanka. “Even One Drink a Day May Be Harmful, Says New Study.” The Lancet, 2018. https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(18)31310-2/fulltext.

4. National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. “Impact of Alcohol on Epigenetic Modifications.” NIMHANS Journal, 2024. https://www.nimhans.ac.in.

(Rh/Rakshit Chauhan/MSM)