Binge drinking and other growing forms of harmful use of alcohol should be tackled through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tighter marketing regulations, WHO has recommended.
Binge drinking and other growing forms of harmful use of alcohol should be tackled through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tighter marketing regulations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended.
WHO unveiled its draft global strategy to curb risks linked to alcohol, which it estimates causes 2.5 million deaths a year from heart and liver disease, road accidents, suicides and various cancers - 3.8 percent of all mortality.
But a key factor for success in controlling beer, wine and spirits consumption is an effective taxation system, said a report by the WHO, whose campaigning led to a global health treaty controlling tobacco in 2003.
WHO's executive board will examine the draft strategy at its semi-annual meeting next week. The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance - a coalition of medical professionals, researchers and non-governmental organizations - has called on the board to approve the strategy and send it to WHO's annual assembly of health ministers in May for adoption.
WHO unveiled its draft global strategy to curb risks linked to alcohol, which it estimates causes 2.5 million deaths a year from heart and liver disease, road accidents, suicides and various cancers - 3.8 percent of all mortality.
But a key factor for success in controlling beer, wine and spirits consumption is an effective taxation system, said a report by the WHO, whose campaigning led to a global health treaty controlling tobacco in 2003.
WHO's executive board will examine the draft strategy at its semi-annual meeting next week. The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance - a coalition of medical professionals, researchers and non-governmental organizations - has called on the board to approve the strategy and send it to WHO's annual assembly of health ministers in May for adoption.
COMMENT
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
