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WHO to tackle alcohol misuse, binge drinking

World Health Organization (WHO) health ministers agreed to try to curb binge drinking and other growing forms of excessive alcohol use through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks.

WHO to tackle alcohol misuse, binge drinking

World Health Organization (WHO) health ministers agreed to try to curb binge drinking and other growing forms of excessive alcohol use through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tighter marketing regulations.

The global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol was adopted by consensus at the annual world health assembly. The recommendations are not binding but serve as guidance to WHO's 193 member states.

The WHO estimates that alcohol causes 2.5 million deaths a year from heart and liver disease, road accidents, suicides and various cancers - 3.8 percent of all deaths. It is the third leading risk factor for premature deaths and disabilities worldwide. The harmful use of alcohol has a serious effect on public health and is considered to be one of the main risk factors for poor health globally, reads the WHO strategy document.

There is strong evidence that a low limit for blood alcohol concentration (0.02 to 0.05 percent) is effective in reducing drink-driving casualties. The more affordable alcohol is - the lower its price, or the more disposable income people have - the more it is consumed leading to greater level of related harm in both high and low-income countries. Hence, setting a minimum price per unit gram of alcohol will help in reducing consumption and alcohol-related harm.

The WHO had earlier clinched a global health treaty for controlling tobacco in 2003 and is now also focussing on tackling obesity.
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