The impact of alcoholic beverages extends far beyond social gatherings, affecting individuals, families, and entire communities. While often embraced in celebratory contexts, alcohol contributes significantly to numerous health problems, including cancer, liver disease, violence, road accidents, and family disintegration. To combat these widespread issues, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific has initiated the “Alcohol Leaves a Mark” campaign, designed to promote stronger policies and regulations aimed at protecting communities from the dangers posed by alcohol consumption.
This initiative is rooted in a resolution that garnered unanimous support from 38 Member States during the recent seventy-sixth WHO Regional Committee Meeting in Fiji. The statistics surrounding alcohol-related deaths are alarming, with nearly half a million fatalities in the Western Pacific each year, translating to almost one death every minute. Alcohol is associated with over 200 diseases and injuries, impacting not only those who drink but also their families and broader communities.
Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, stressed that alcohol should not be treated purely as a commodity. Instead, he characterized it as a discretionary product with serious public health implications, highlighting the pressing need for regulatory measures aimed at safeguarding vulnerable populations, particularly children and youth.
The “Alcohol Leaves a Mark” campaign aims to elevate awareness regarding the adverse effects of alcohol and advocate for more effective regulations. Utilizing a range of media, including videos and social media storytelling, the campaign illustrates the wide-reaching consequences of alcohol, from health complications and addiction to incidents of domestic violence and traffic-related injuries. Each personal story reveals the profound damage that alcohol inflicts, ultimately eroding the social fabric of our communities.
Collaboration is central to the campaign’s success, as it calls on policymakers, health partners, media, and the public to work together in sharing resources and pushing for evidence-based regulations to alleviate alcohol-related harm. Dr. Piukala remarked, “Recognizing how deeply alcohol impacts our communities makes it clear that robust regulation is essential for their protection.”
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by troubling trends in alcohol consumption in the region. In 2022, the average per-capita alcohol consumption in the Western Pacific was recorded at 5.2 liters, surpassing the global average of 5.0 liters. Without appropriate regulatory measures, future consumption is expected to rise further, worsening associated public health challenges.
The campaign aligns with the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030, featuring key strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm, including raising taxes on alcoholic beverages, limiting availability, implementing bans on aggressive advertising, enforcing drink-driving countermeasures, and ensuring adequate support systems for those facing alcohol use disorders.
Dr. Hiromasa Okayasu, Director of Health Promotion at the WHO Regional Office, asserted, “Every policy that successfully reduces alcohol use saves lives.” He encouraged a shift in perspective regarding the harmful effects of alcohol, emphasizing the success of evidence-based policies.
Participants at the recent WHO meeting highlighted the critical nature of prioritizing alcohol control, reflecting a unified commitment among health ministers in the region to tackle this significant public health issue.
Dr. Piukala called on everyone to engage in this initiative, stressing the importance of recognizing the impact of alcohol on loved ones. “Let’s unveil the true costs of alcohol and prevent further harm—let’s #RegulateAlcoholNow,” he urged.
This campaign marks a hopeful step towards fostering a healthier future for the Pacific region, as nations unite to address the challenges of alcohol-related harm and strive for a more resilient society.