Alcohol consumption has a direct relationship with the crimes being committed in a country. Under the influence of alcohol, the nervous system becomes weak and the brain loses its capability to make logical decisions. Hence most of the crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol. This article attempts to bring out all the aspects of alcohol consumption.
Alcohol consumption trends
Here is the per capita alcohol consumption trend in India, here we have to understand that alcohol is consumed by a section of Indian population, generally by the poorer section or by the considerably wealthy section of the population on a regular basis. Also per capita consumption doesn't give the complete picture, it gives only a part of the picture.
(source : WHO, FAO)
Now let us look at how is the alcohol market doing in India. We are taking a sample of one of the major alcohol producing companies in India and its growth.
(source : Credit Suisse, Equity Research, Sept, 2012)
Here a "case = 12 bottles = 9 litres". Hence we can see from the trend that alcohol consumption has increased by more that 3 times in the last 10 years.
Who are the consumers of alcohol
India is one of the fastest growing alcohol markets in the world and largest consumer of whiskey. According to a study by ASSOCHAM, a sizeable middle class population with rising spending power and a sound economy are some of significant reasons behind increase in alcohol consumption in India. This fact comes out as an ironical one. The poor in India consume cheap country liquor and other cheaper brands of alcohol out of frustration and despair and end up spending 60% of their income in alcohol (no wonder they remain poor). The growing middle class consume alcohol as a mark of prosperity and class and again end up spending a considerable part of their income on alcohol. This nouveau riche middle class considers alcohol as a symbol of success. For richer sections alcohol anyway symbolizes success but is being conveniently offset by their higher levels of income/wealth. The question to be posed here is - is this a progressive attitude ?
Younger generations are falling into the trap of alcohol because of higher disposable incomes, lack of parental supervision, changing societal norms and peer pressure. Almost 45 percent of 12th graders in metropolitan cities in India excessively consume alcohol and teenage drinking has increased by 100 percent during the last 10 years. India ranks as one of the largest alcoholic beverage markets across the globe. Kerala and Punjab are the leading liquor consuming states in India. Indian movies depict consuming alcohol as an act of heroism. This directly impacts the psyche. Most of the youngsters consume alcohol under the influence of these movies. Indian drinking habits and patterns are problematic. Atleast one third of the drinkers fall in the "hazardous drinkers" category.
More than one fifth of the alcohol produced in the world is consumed by Indians. The liquor industry is growing at a rate of 30% per year. The total value of alcoholic drinks consumed in India is projected to be Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in 2015.
Interestingly studies have revealed that majority of the alcohol consuming population of India are males. According to data from WHO (2010), 90% of the lifetime abstainers of alcohol are females. This is a positive side of the data. Majority of the Indian female population is not under the influence of alcohol. Consequently whatever stability that exists in the Indian households is because of females. But there is another side of the story. Domestic violence is prevalent and high in households where the male member consumes alcohol. The husband consumes alcohol and beats-up the wife. I think this story can be extrapolated into other countries as well.
India Government's stand on alcohol
In the Part-IV of the constitution of India, the directive principles of state policy, article 47, it is mentioned, "The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties and, in particular, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health."
Here it is evident that the constitution prevented the formation of any national policy on alcohol. So there is no national policy on alcohol. Instead each and every state is supposed to implement its alcohol policy. Obviously this left a lot of scope for manipulation. The corruption at the national level is visible however the corruption at the state level is difficult to observe. Now state governments earn a considerable revenue from alcohols. Hence their stand on alcohol has always been weak. Important to note here, that the constitution needs an amendment on this point.
Alcohol and crime
Because of loss of self-control and intoxicating effects of alcohol, individuals get involved in crime and fights and cause injury to others and property. It has been well established that alcohol is closely linked to routine acts of violence. Alcohol users are frequently involved in fights, brawls, rape, spousal and child abuse, thefts etc. The risk of spousal abuse increases with an alcoholic husband even during pregnancy. In the last few years there has been an increase in the number of reported crimes against women and children in India. Studies show that 99 percent of crimes against women are committed under the influence of alcohol.
Alcohol and health
Alcohol consumption is estimated to cause 1.8 million deaths per year (3.2% of all deaths) and to be responsible for 4% of the disability-adjusted life years lost per year worldwide. The impact of alcohol on disease and mortality is more in countries like India where poverty is a predominant factor. Increased alcohol consumption is related to increased rick of mortality and morbidity due to physical illness. The major disease and injury conditions related to alcohol are as follows:-
Alcohol use has been identified as a major factor for injury occurrence. Consumption of alcohol leads to a variety of physiological changes. Prominent among these are changes in respiration and circulation, difficulties in making judgement and decisions, poor vision, delayed reflexes, improper coordination, problems in risk perception and recognition (like difficulties in identifying dangers in roads), sense of pseudo confidence, loss of self-control and increased risk taking. The pseudoeuphoric effect of alcohol results in loss of inhibitions and enhances risk taking behaviours.
Social consequences of alcoholism
The psycho-social and economic consequences of alcoholism can be both acute and long-term. The death of an earning member of a family in an alcohol related accident can cause untold suffering to the innocent family members. An alcoholic husband can deprive his wife and children of much needed, immediate and long-term resources. An alcoholic father sets a wrong example to his children, and also deprives his children of emotional and social security. Social consequences of alcohol abuse have prompted societies and communities across the world to limit use of alcohol to various extents. The manifestation of social consequences of alcohol abuse happens at three levels : individual, family and society.
What should we do ?
Human beings do not live in isolation. They live in a social framework. Hence the problems of society can only be tackled only by joint action of groups of volunteers. Like any other problem, the problem of alcoholism has to be tackled in similar lines. Only a strong sustained campaign can check the spread of alcoholism.
Today when I walk through the streets of India, I see umpteen number of socio-economic and political problems manifesting them in each and every corner of this country. I can choose to ignore them and take my course, or I can decide to do something about it.
The case of "Nirbhaya" shook not only me but the entire nation. There have been umpteen number of cases of violence against women in this country. How can we just sit in our homes/offices and do nothing about these?
We need to "Wake-up" !!. Our life is limited on this planet, one day we are all going to die, but while we are here, why can't we work as volunteers for this planet, for animalkind, for mankind.....
(source(s) : excerpts from financial express, thehindubusinessline
www.nimhans.kar.nic.in/cam/CAM/Alcohol_report_NIMHANS.pdf
www.nimhans.kar.nic.in/cam/CAM/WHO.ER.ch14.5.Benegal.pdf
nimhans.kar.nic.in/deaddiction/CAM/Social_20Cost.pdf )
Alcohol consumption trends
Here is the per capita alcohol consumption trend in India, here we have to understand that alcohol is consumed by a section of Indian population, generally by the poorer section or by the considerably wealthy section of the population on a regular basis. Also per capita consumption doesn't give the complete picture, it gives only a part of the picture.
(source : WHO, FAO)
Now let us look at how is the alcohol market doing in India. We are taking a sample of one of the major alcohol producing companies in India and its growth.
(source : Credit Suisse, Equity Research, Sept, 2012)
Here a "case = 12 bottles = 9 litres". Hence we can see from the trend that alcohol consumption has increased by more that 3 times in the last 10 years.
Who are the consumers of alcohol
India is one of the fastest growing alcohol markets in the world and largest consumer of whiskey. According to a study by ASSOCHAM, a sizeable middle class population with rising spending power and a sound economy are some of significant reasons behind increase in alcohol consumption in India. This fact comes out as an ironical one. The poor in India consume cheap country liquor and other cheaper brands of alcohol out of frustration and despair and end up spending 60% of their income in alcohol (no wonder they remain poor). The growing middle class consume alcohol as a mark of prosperity and class and again end up spending a considerable part of their income on alcohol. This nouveau riche middle class considers alcohol as a symbol of success. For richer sections alcohol anyway symbolizes success but is being conveniently offset by their higher levels of income/wealth. The question to be posed here is - is this a progressive attitude ?
Younger generations are falling into the trap of alcohol because of higher disposable incomes, lack of parental supervision, changing societal norms and peer pressure. Almost 45 percent of 12th graders in metropolitan cities in India excessively consume alcohol and teenage drinking has increased by 100 percent during the last 10 years. India ranks as one of the largest alcoholic beverage markets across the globe. Kerala and Punjab are the leading liquor consuming states in India. Indian movies depict consuming alcohol as an act of heroism. This directly impacts the psyche. Most of the youngsters consume alcohol under the influence of these movies. Indian drinking habits and patterns are problematic. Atleast one third of the drinkers fall in the "hazardous drinkers" category.
More than one fifth of the alcohol produced in the world is consumed by Indians. The liquor industry is growing at a rate of 30% per year. The total value of alcoholic drinks consumed in India is projected to be Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in 2015.
Interestingly studies have revealed that majority of the alcohol consuming population of India are males. According to data from WHO (2010), 90% of the lifetime abstainers of alcohol are females. This is a positive side of the data. Majority of the Indian female population is not under the influence of alcohol. Consequently whatever stability that exists in the Indian households is because of females. But there is another side of the story. Domestic violence is prevalent and high in households where the male member consumes alcohol. The husband consumes alcohol and beats-up the wife. I think this story can be extrapolated into other countries as well.
India Government's stand on alcohol
In the Part-IV of the constitution of India, the directive principles of state policy, article 47, it is mentioned, "The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties and, in particular, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health."
Here it is evident that the constitution prevented the formation of any national policy on alcohol. So there is no national policy on alcohol. Instead each and every state is supposed to implement its alcohol policy. Obviously this left a lot of scope for manipulation. The corruption at the national level is visible however the corruption at the state level is difficult to observe. Now state governments earn a considerable revenue from alcohols. Hence their stand on alcohol has always been weak. Important to note here, that the constitution needs an amendment on this point.
Alcohol and crime
Because of loss of self-control and intoxicating effects of alcohol, individuals get involved in crime and fights and cause injury to others and property. It has been well established that alcohol is closely linked to routine acts of violence. Alcohol users are frequently involved in fights, brawls, rape, spousal and child abuse, thefts etc. The risk of spousal abuse increases with an alcoholic husband even during pregnancy. In the last few years there has been an increase in the number of reported crimes against women and children in India. Studies show that 99 percent of crimes against women are committed under the influence of alcohol.
Alcohol and health
Alcohol consumption is estimated to cause 1.8 million deaths per year (3.2% of all deaths) and to be responsible for 4% of the disability-adjusted life years lost per year worldwide. The impact of alcohol on disease and mortality is more in countries like India where poverty is a predominant factor. Increased alcohol consumption is related to increased rick of mortality and morbidity due to physical illness. The major disease and injury conditions related to alcohol are as follows:-
- Malignant neoplasms - mouth and oropharynx cancers, Oesophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer
- Neuropsychiatric diseases - unipolar depressive disorders, epilepsy, alcohol dependence and harmful use
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cardiovascular disorders - ischaemic heart disease, haemorrhagic stroke, ischaemic stroke
- Gastrointestinal diseases - cirrhosis of liver
- Unintentional injury - motor vehicle accidents, drownings, falls, poisoning
- Intentional injury - self-inflicted injuries, homicide
Alcohol use has been identified as a major factor for injury occurrence. Consumption of alcohol leads to a variety of physiological changes. Prominent among these are changes in respiration and circulation, difficulties in making judgement and decisions, poor vision, delayed reflexes, improper coordination, problems in risk perception and recognition (like difficulties in identifying dangers in roads), sense of pseudo confidence, loss of self-control and increased risk taking. The pseudoeuphoric effect of alcohol results in loss of inhibitions and enhances risk taking behaviours.
Social consequences of alcoholism
The psycho-social and economic consequences of alcoholism can be both acute and long-term. The death of an earning member of a family in an alcohol related accident can cause untold suffering to the innocent family members. An alcoholic husband can deprive his wife and children of much needed, immediate and long-term resources. An alcoholic father sets a wrong example to his children, and also deprives his children of emotional and social security. Social consequences of alcohol abuse have prompted societies and communities across the world to limit use of alcohol to various extents. The manifestation of social consequences of alcohol abuse happens at three levels : individual, family and society.
What should we do ?
Human beings do not live in isolation. They live in a social framework. Hence the problems of society can only be tackled only by joint action of groups of volunteers. Like any other problem, the problem of alcoholism has to be tackled in similar lines. Only a strong sustained campaign can check the spread of alcoholism.
Today when I walk through the streets of India, I see umpteen number of socio-economic and political problems manifesting them in each and every corner of this country. I can choose to ignore them and take my course, or I can decide to do something about it.
The case of "Nirbhaya" shook not only me but the entire nation. There have been umpteen number of cases of violence against women in this country. How can we just sit in our homes/offices and do nothing about these?
We need to "Wake-up" !!. Our life is limited on this planet, one day we are all going to die, but while we are here, why can't we work as volunteers for this planet, for animalkind, for mankind.....
(source(s) : excerpts from financial express, thehindubusinessline
www.nimhans.kar.nic.in/cam/CAM/Alcohol_report_NIMHANS.pdf
www.nimhans.kar.nic.in/cam/CAM/WHO.ER.ch14.5.Benegal.pdf
nimhans.kar.nic.in/deaddiction/CAM/Social_20Cost.pdf )
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