State-Level Stakeholder Dialogue on Reducing Harms Due to Alcohol Consumption

by admin | Jul 18, 2026 | zero-irresponsible-drinking

State-Level Stakeholder Dialogue on Reducing Harms Due to Alcohol Consumption

Consumer VOICE, in collaboration with the Foundation for Sustainable Health India (FSHI) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), organised a State-Level Stakeholder Dialogue on Reducing Harms Due to Alcohol Consumption at the NIMHANS Convention Centre, Bengaluru. The consultation brought together policymakers, public health experts, psychiatrists, consumer advocates, academicians, and civil society representatives to discuss evidence-based strategies for reducing alcohol-related harms among university students and young adults.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Padmavathy Doraiswamy, Senior Nursing Officer, NIMHANS. Mr. Hemant Upadhyay, Senior Advisor, Consumer VOICE, outlined the objectives of the consultation, emphasising the importance of consumer awareness, informed decision-making, and responsible alcohol consumption. Dr. Shobha G., Director, Department of Collegiate Education, Government of Karnataka, called upon educational institutions to integrate substance use prevention, mental health promotion and life skills education into campus activities.

Introducing the Substance Use-Free Campus Campaign, Mr. S. J. Chander, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Sustainable Health India (FSHI), described the campaign as a collaborative effort to foster healthy campus environments through awareness, prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation. Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Prabha S. Chandra, Director, NIMHANS, stressed that addressing alcohol use among young people must be treated as a public health priority requiring coordinated action by educational institutions, families, communities and government agencies.

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The technical sessions featured distinguished experts from diverse fields. Dr. Krishna Raj discussed alcohol taxation, public policy and the importance of consumer awareness regarding Alcohol by Volume (ABV), advocating taxation linked to alcohol content rather than beverage categories. Dr. Vivek Benegal highlighted the impact of alcohol on the developing brain, explaining why delaying alcohol initiation among young people is one of the most effective prevention strategies while also emphasising the broader social and economic costs of alcohol-related harm.

Speaking on consumer rights and responsible choices, Mr. Tushar Gandhi underscored the need for consumers to understand Alcohol by Volume (ABV), read product labels carefully, and critically evaluate alcohol marketing and promotional messages. He emphasised that transparent labelling empowers consumers to make informed decisions based on facts rather than advertising.

Addressing alcohol from a public health perspective, Dr. Girish N. Rao presented epidemiological evidence on the growing burden of alcohol-related diseases, injuries, mental health disorders and road traffic crashes, calling for stronger surveillance, research and evidence-based public health programmes. Dr. Rajani P. highlighted the Government of Karnataka’s initiatives on prevention, early identification, counselling, referral services, rehabilitation and community engagement, while stressing the importance of creating supportive educational environments where students can seek help without stigma.

An interactive panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Jayanth Mahadevan, explored issues including alcohol-related public health risks, road safety, consumer awareness, misleading advertising, youth behaviour, mental health promotion and strategies for establishing substance use-free campuses. Participants from academia, healthcare, government and civil society actively engaged in discussions on practical solutions and evidence-based interventions.

The dialogue concluded with a set of recommendations, including establishing substance use-free campus policies, strengthening awareness on alcohol-related harms, promoting education on Alcohol by Volume (ABV) and product labelling, integrating life skills and mental health into university curricula, regulating misleading marketing practices, strengthening referral services, and enhancing collaboration among government, educational institutions, health systems and civil society organisations. The consultation reaffirmed the importance of informed consumer choices, responsible communication and multi-sectoral partnerships in building healthier campuses and reducing alcohol-related harms among young people.

Media Updates

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Empowering University Students in Mysuru to Promote Responsible Choices and Reduce Alcohol-Related Harm

by admin | Jul 18, 2026 | zero-irresponsible-drinking

Empowering University Students in Mysuru to Promote Responsible Choices and Reduce Alcohol-Related Harm

Consumer VOICE, in collaboration with the Foundation for Sustainable Health India (FSHI), the University of Mysore, Christ College, Mysore, and the National Service Scheme (NSS), organised a youth awareness seminar on Reducing Alcohol-Related Harms among Youth: Awareness and Prevention among University students at Christ College, University of Mysuru on 9 July 2026. The programme brought together students, public health experts, law enforcement officials, psychologists, and educators to raise awareness about the health, social, and road safety consequences of alcohol use among young people and to encourage informed, responsible decision-making.

The seminar was inaugurated by Fr. Dr. Augusty P of Christ College while Mr. Hemant Upadhyay, Advisor, Consumer VOICE, introduced the campaign and highlighted the importance of consumer awareness and youth engagement in preventing alcohol-related harms. Mr. S. J. Chander, Director, Foundation for Sustainable Health India (FSHI), emphasised the need to create substance-free educational institutions and foster healthy environments for students. A pre-event survey was also conducted to assess participants’ awareness and establish a baseline for the programme.

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Addressing the issue of road safety, Mr. Sidesha, Sub-Inspector, Mysore City Traffic Police, presented alarming road crash statistics and stressed that drunk driving remains a completely preventable cause of death. He also informed students about strict enforcement measures in Mysuru and the legal consequences of driving under the influence under the Motor Vehicles Act.

The psychosocial dimensions of alcohol dependence were discussed by Mrs. Anuradha K., Clinical Psychologist, who spoke about the progression of alcohol dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and the importance of counselling and group therapy in supporting recovery. She encouraged students to seek help early and support peers who may be struggling with substance use.

The programme concluded with an interactive discussion where experts underscored the importance of coordinated action involving educational institutions, families, healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to prevent substance abuse among youth. Students reaffirmed their commitment to healthy and responsible lifestyles by taking a Student Responsibility Pledge, led by Mr. Vedaraju K. A., before the event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Gandharva, a III B.Com student.

More than 85 students attended the event and IEC materials “Embrace the culture of Zero Irresponsible Drinking” – both in English and Kannadiga were distributed.

Media Updates

Pre-Event

Awareness Campaign on Alcohol Consumption and Road Safety on 9th

Mysuru: A special awareness workshop is being organized at the city’s Christ College on the 9th to curb the rising trend of excessive and irresponsible alcohol consumption among youth and to promote road safety. This campaign is being held jointly by the national consumer rights organization ‘Consumer Voice’, the not-for-profit health organization ‘FSHI’, Mysuru VVNSS, and the NSS unit of Christ College. The college Principal inaugurated the “Paala Agastine” programme, and NSS Officer Vedraj Koral administered a pledge to the students.

Post-Event

Acquire Necessary Knowledge for Responsible Drinking

News Report:

Kannada Prabha News, Mysuru

An awareness program on “Rising Irresponsible Alcohol Consumption Among Youth and Road Safety” was organized at the city’s Christ College in collaboration with the NSS Unit, Consumer Voice, and Foundation for Sustainable Health India.

Inaugurating the program, College Principal Dr. Augustine said that excessive and harmful alcohol consumption affects physical and mental health, academic performance, family relationships, public safety, and economic productivity.

He stated that youth must acquire the necessary knowledge to make responsible decisions.

Hemant Upadhyaya, Advisor, Consumer Voice, speaking at the event said that today’s drinking patterns show a tendency toward intoxication-driven consumption, and many individuals are engaging in binge and excessive drinking.

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Prashanth said that reducing alcohol consumption is essential to lower premature deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer.

Siddhesh from the Traffic Department spoke about road safety.

S.J. Chander from Foundation for Sustainable Health India, and College NSS Program Officer Vedaraj Koorgal, M.R. Robin Sharath Kumar, M. Shashikiran, B.B. Soubiya, C.S. Ranjitha, K.P. Divya and others were present.

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Embrace the Culture of Zero Irresponsible Drinking

by admin | Jul 10, 2026 | campaigns

Embrace the Culture of Zero Irresponsible Drinking

Objectives

Increase awareness about the health, psychological, social, and legal consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.
Promote responsible decision-making among young adults.
Encourage zero tolerance for drinking and driving.
Build awareness about Alcohol by Volume (ABV) and understanding alcohol content across beverages.
Engage educational institutions, public health experts, policymakers, and civil society in promoting evidence-based interventions.
Support safer communities through awareness, prevention, and responsible behaviour.

Vision

We envision a society where young people are empowered with accurate information, make responsible decisions, and contribute to safer roads, healthier communities, and improved public health.
Through awareness, education, and evidence-based support, we aim to reduce the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption and promote a culture of responsibility among India’s youth.

Key Facts at a Glance

Nearly 168 million Indians aged 15 years and above consume alcohol, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).
Around 5.2% of India’s population, more than 57 million people are estimated to have harmful or dependent alcohol use, requiring treatment or support.
India’s per capita alcohol consumption has nearly doubled, increasing from 2.4 litres of pure alcohol in 2005 to approximately 4.9 litres in 2023, reflecting changing lifestyles, increasing affordability, urbanisation, and growing social acceptance of alcohol.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), total alcohol consumption among people aged 15 years and above in India was estimated at approximately 4.5 litres of pure alcohol per capita in 2020, demonstrating the continuing public health burden.
Alcohol contributes to approximately 5.1% of the global disease burden and is a major risk factor for liver disease, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, mental health disorders, injuries, and road traffic crashes.

Youth and Alcohol: Why It Matters

Young people are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol because the brain continues to develop well into the mid-twenties. Early alcohol use can affect learning, memory, decision-making, emotional well-being, and increase the likelihood of future alcohol dependence.

Analysis of NFHS-5 (2019–21) data found that:

10.9% of young men (15–24 years) reported having consumed alcohol, compared with 0.3% of young women.
Although youth alcohol use declined compared with NFHS-4, significant regional disparities remain, highlighting the need for targeted awareness and prevention programmes.
Researchers concluded that strengthening youth-focused education and evidence-based public health policies remains essential to reducing harmful alcohol use among young people.

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How Alcohol Affects Driving

Alcohol impairs several critical functions required for safe driving:

Reaction Time: Alcohol slows the brain’s ability to respond to unexpected situations, such as a pedestrian crossing the road, sudden braking by another vehicle, or changes in traffic signals.
Coordination: Driving requires precise coordination between the eyes, hands, and feet. Alcohol reduces muscle coordination, making steering, braking, and accelerating less accurate.
Vision: Alcohol can cause blurred vision, reduced peripheral vision, difficulty focusing, and poor night vision, making it harder to judge distances and identify hazards.
Decision-Making: Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgement, leading to risky behaviours such as speeding, aggressive driving, overtaking in unsafe conditions, or ignoring traffic rules.
Concentration: Safe driving requires constant attention to multiple factors simultaneously. Alcohol reduces concentration and increases the likelihood of distraction and errors.

Choosing not to drink and drive protects not only yourself but also your passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.

The Impact Extends Beyond the Driver

Drunk driving does not only endanger the person behind the wheel. It puts at risk:

Family members and friends travelling with the driver.
Pedestrians and cyclists sharing the road.
Other motorists and passengers.
Emergency responders and communities affected by road crashes.

The consequences can include lifelong disability, emotional trauma, financial hardship, legal penalties, and loss of life.

If you drink, never drive. Plan your journey home before you start drinking.

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Consumer VOICE Submits Recommendations on Proposed Insurance Commission Caps

by admin | May 31, 2026 | Insurance

Consumer VOICE Submits Recommendations on Proposed Insurance Commission Caps

Consumer VOICE has submitted detailed recommendations to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) regarding the proposed framework on insurance commission caps and distribution reforms.

While appreciating IRDAI’s commitment towards the vision of “Insurance for All by 2047”, Consumer VOICE has expressed concern that broad-based commission caps may unintentionally impact policyholders, particularly first-time buyers, low-income households, and consumers in Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural areas.

The submission highlights that insurance in India continues to be largely advice-driven, where agents and intermediaries play a crucial role in helping consumers understand products, complete documentation, and receive claim support. A sharp reduction in commissions may discourage distribution in underserved markets and reduce access to financial guidance for vulnerable consumers.

How capping insurance commissions could hurt the very consumers it aims to protect

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/how-capping-insurance-commissions-could-hurt-the-very-consumers-it-aims-to-protect/

The recommendations submitted by Consumer VOICE include:

Allowing the existing Expenses of Management (EoM) framework to mature before introducing additional caps
Addressing mis-selling through stronger conduct regulations and suitability requirements rather than blanket commission restrictions
Conducting a structured market study to identify the actual drivers of rising distribution costs

The representation also draws attention to international experiences where excessive restrictions on commissions resulted in an “advice gap”, limiting consumer access to financial advisory support.

Consumer VOICE believes that strengthening consumer protection should go hand-in-hand with maintaining accessibility, affordability, and distribution reach, especially in smaller towns and rural India.

The organisation remains committed to supporting balanced policy reforms that promote transparency, responsible distribution practices, and wider insurance inclusion across the country.

Safe Food, Healthy Lives: Why Food Safety Is a Consumer’s Right

by admin | Mar 14, 2026 | WCRD

Safe Food, Healthy Lives: Why Food Safety Is a Consumer’s Right

A batch of packaged red chilli powder was recalled after it did not comply with food safety regulations.

Recently, food safety authorities destroyed around 1.5 lakh kg of expired packaged food products in Jaipur after discovering a scheme to alter expiry dates and resell them in the market.

Recent developments in India show growing concerns about packaged food safety, including expired products, contamination in spices, adulteration, and inadequate labelling

Every day consumers make numerous food choices from fresh produce to packaged snacks and beverages. Behind each purchase lies a basic thought – Is the food we buy safe to eat and good for our health?

Food safety is not simply a matter of trust between consumers and food companies. It is a fundamental consumer right. The theme of World Consumer Rights Day 2026 — “Safe Products, Confident Consumers” highlights the importance of ensuring that food products in the market meet strong safety standards and protect consumers from harm.

Safe food is essential not only for consumer confidence but also for protecting public health and the right to a healthy life.

Why Food Safety Matters

Food is the most frequently purchased consumer product and directly affects human health. Unlike many other products, food enters the body and influences nutrition, immunity, and long-term well-being.

When food safety standards are maintained:

Consumers can trust what they eat
Families are protected from foodborne illnesses
Nutritional choices become easier and more informed
The food market becomes more transparent and accountable

However, unsafe food can have serious consequences. Contaminated or poorly handled food can lead to food poisoning, infections, and other health problems. In addition, misleading food claims and poor labelling may cause consumers to unknowingly consume products that are unhealthy.

Ensuring safe food is therefore not just a regulatory responsibility — it is a public health priority.

Safe Food and the Right to Health

The right to safe food is closely connected to the right to health, one of the most basic human rights. Consumers rely on food products every day to maintain their health, energy, and nutrition.

However, modern food systems have changed significantly. The consumption of processed and packaged foods has increased rapidly, and many of these products contain high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Excessive consumption of such ingredients is linked to rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and heart disease.

In this context, food safety goes beyond preventing contamination. It also includes ensuring that consumers receive clear and honest information about what is in their food.

Transparent labelling and responsible food manufacturing practices allow consumers to make healthier dietary choices and protect their long-term health.

Importance of Food Labeling

For packaged foods, labels are the primary source of information for consumers. A well-designed and transparent label can help consumers understand what they are eating and whether the product fits their dietary needs.

Food labels provide important information such as:

Ingredients used in the product
Nutritional value
Allergen warnings
Manufacturing and expiry dates
Storage instructions

However, many food labels are complex or difficult to interpret quickly while shopping. Clear and easy-to-understand labelling systems can help consumers identify foods that contain excessive amounts of salt, sugar, or unhealthy fats.

Better food labelling empowers consumers to make healthier and safer choices for themselves and their families.

How Consumers Can Identify Safe Food Products

While regulators and food companies have the primary responsibility to ensure food safety, consumers can also take simple steps to protect themselves while buying food.

Read Food Labels Carefully

Before purchasing packaged foods, check the ingredient list, nutritional information, and expiry date. This helps consumers understand what the product contains and whether it is safe to consume.

Check Quality and Safety Marks

Look for recognised certification marks or regulatory approvals that indicate compliance with food safety standards.

Be Cautious of Misleading Claims

Terms such as “natural,” “healthy,” or “low fat” may sometimes be used as marketing tools. Consumers should read the full nutritional information rather than relying solely on such claims.

Inspect the Packaging

Avoid purchasing food products with damaged packaging, broken seals, or signs of leakage. Such issues may indicate contamination or improper storage.

Report Unsafe Food Products

If consumers find unsafe or contaminated food products, they should report them to consumer organisations or food safety authorities. Reporting helps prevent similar risks for other consumers.

Every consumer deserves safe food, transparent information, and the right to live a healthy life.

References:

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