Highlighted policy recommendations discussed during the roundtable:
1) Creating Awareness of Alcohol Content by Volume: This recommendation emphasizes the importance of educating consumers about the alcohol content (by volume) present in various beverages. Many consumers may not be aware of the pure alcohol content in their drinks, leading to unintentional overconsumption. By providing clear information on labels and through public awareness campaigns, individuals can make more informed decisions about their alcohol intake, leading to potentially reduced consumption rates and associated harms.
2) Consulting the Health Department in Excise Policies: Involving the health department in the formulation of excise policies is crucial as it ensures that public health considerations are taken into account when regulating alcohol. Health professionals can provide valuable insights into the potential health impacts of various policy options and help design measures that prioritize the well-being of citizens. This collaborative approach ensures a balanced policy framework that addresses both economic and health concerns.
3) Strengthening the Madya Nishedh Dept.: The Madya Nishedh Dept. plays a vital role in overseeing alcohol-related regulations and initiatives aimed at promoting responsible drinking and reducing alcohol-related harm. Strengthening this dept. involves providing it with adequate resources, authority, and expertise to effectively carry out its mandate. This may include expanding its scope of activities, enhancing enforcement mechanisms, and fostering partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
4) Taxation Based on Alcohol by Volume (ABV) Content: Taxation based on alcohol by volume (ABV) content is a targeted approach to discourage the consumption of high-alcohol beverages. By levying higher taxes on beverages with higher ABV content, policymakers can incentivize consumers to opt for lower-alcohol alternatives. This strategy not only promotes responsible drinking but also generates revenue that can be allocated towards alcohol-related public health initiatives.
5) Setting Minimum Unit Price and Banning Low-Priced High-Alcohol content Beverages: Setting a minimum unit price for alcohol ensures that alcoholic beverages are sold at a price that reflects their alcohol content, discouraging the consumption of cheap, high-alcohol products. Additionally, banning the sale of ultra-low-priced, high-alcohol beverages can prevent their accessibility to vulnerable populations, such as underage drinkers and individuals with alcohol use disorders.
6) Ban on Sale of Ultra-Small Packs of Alcohol: Restricting the sale of ultra-small packs of alcohol aims to curb impulsive and excessive drinking behaviours. These small-sized packs often facilitate binge drinking and contribute to alcohol-related harms, particularly in social settings where alcohol is readily available. By prohibiting the sale of such packs, policymakers can mitigate the risk of alcohol abuse and promote safer consumption patterns.
7) Strong Communication Campaigns Emphasizing the Harms of Alcohol: In addition to regulatory measures, strong communication campaigns are essential for raising awareness about the adverse health and social consequences of alcohol consumption. By leveraging various media channels and messaging strategies, such campaigns can educate the public about the risks associated with excessive drinking and challenge societal norms that normalize alcohol use. Emphasizing the harms of alcohol through targeted messaging can help shift attitudes and behaviours towards more responsible drinking practices, ultimately contributing to a reduction in alcohol-related harm across the population.
8) Educational Campaigns Starting from a Young Age: Recognizing the importance of early intervention, the education department should spearhead educational campaigns to highlight the harms of alcohol consumption, targeting students from a very young age, starting as early as 5th standard. By integrating alcohol education into the school curriculum, students can develop a comprehensive understanding of the risks associated with alcohol use and develop healthy attitudes towards alcohol from a young age. These campaigns can utilize age-appropriate materials and interactive activities to engage students and empower them to make informed choices regarding alcohol consumption as they grow older.
9) De-glamorising Alcohol Bottles: Another crucial recommendation is to implement measures to de-glamorise alcohol bottles and packaging. Currently, alcohol packaging often features attractive designs and branding that may glamorize and promote alcohol consumption, especially among young people. By adopting plain packaging regulations similar to those implemented for tobacco products, policymakers can strip alcohol packaging of its allure and reduce its appeal to consumers. Plain packaging, coupled with health warning labels, can help shift perceptions of alcohol from being a desirable lifestyle choice to a potentially harmful substance, thereby discouraging excessive consumption and promoting public health objectives.