WHO Alcohol Warning 2025: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a serious warning about the increasing and deadly effects of alcohol in Europe. According to the organization, about 8 lakh people are dying every year in the Europe region due to diseases and accidents related to alcohol consumption. This data not only points to a public health crisis but also has a deep impact at the social and economic levels.
Main cause of accidents
Based on 2019 data, WHO has revealed this horrifying truth. According to this, about 145,000 people in Europe died due to injuries caused by drinking alcohol. Drinking is also linked to interpersonal violence, including assault and domestic violence, and is a leading cause of deaths from violent injuries across Europe, according to the organization.
has bad effect on health
Carina Ferreira-Borges, WHO/Europe Regional Advisor on Alcohol, Illicit Drugs and Prison Health, said that alcohol is a toxic substance that not only causes seven types of cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), but it also reduces the ability to make decisions and control oneself. Along with slowing down the reaction time, it also reduces coordination and promotes the habit of taking risks.
The leading causes of alcohol-related deaths include ‘heart disease, liver cirrhosis, various types of cancer (such as breast and bowel cancer), road accidents, violence and suicide’ Are included. Alcohol abuse is the leading cause of premature death among people of working age. Due to which there is more burden on the productivity and health systems of the country.
The World Health Organization reports that Europe is among the regions of the world with the highest per capita alcohol consumption. Alcohol has become a part of social life and culture in many countries, but its side effects are often ignored. The WHO says that “no amount of alcohol is completely safe,” as it increases the risk of many serious diseases, including cancer.
Most affected in Eastern Europe
Data shows that its impact is greatest in Eastern Europe. The number of people who lose their lives due to injuries caused by drinking alcohol is more than half here (compared to the whole of Europe). In Western and Southern Europe it is less than 20 percent.
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The report also underlined that the effects of alcohol are not limited to the person who drinks only. Issues such as domestic violence in families, negative impact on children, mental health problems, and social instability are also deeply linked. Apart from this, the expenditure on treatment of alcohol related diseases is a big economic challenge for the government.
Role of alcohol in violence and crime
In 2019, about 26,500 deaths in Europe were due to attacking each other and 40 percent of these violence were due to alcohol.
The organization has appealed to European countries to adopt strict policies regarding alcohol control. Effective measures include increasing taxes on alcohol, banning advertising and packaging, limiting the time and place of sale, and placing clear health warnings on labels. Along with this, it is important to convey the message through public awareness campaigns that alcohol consumption is not associated with “low risk” but with “health risks”.
need for social change
WHO believes that if governments implement policies based on scientific evidence, deaths and diseases caused by alcohol can be reduced to a great extent in the coming years. The report emphasizes that changing societal attitudes about alcohol and strong public health policies are the most effective way to tackle this serious crisis.
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