Every alcoholic drink leaves a significant impact on individuals, families, and societies at large. While often celebrated in social settings, alcohol’s damaging effects are far-reaching, contributing to a variety of health issues including cancer, liver disease, violence, road accidents, and family breakdowns. In an effort to tackle these widespread consequences, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific has launched the “Alcohol Leaves a Mark” campaign. This initiative aims to advocate for more substantial policies and regulations to safeguard communities from alcohol-related harms.
This campaign is the result of a resolution unanimously supported by 38 Member States of the Western Pacific during the seventy-sixth WHO Regional Committee Meeting, held recently in Fiji. The alarming statistics reflect the urgency of the situation: approximately half a million people die each year in the Western Pacific due to alcohol-related causes, which translates to nearly one death every minute. Alcohol is responsible for over 200 diseases and injuries, affecting not only drinkers but also their families and communities.
Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, emphasized that alcohol isn’t just an ordinary commodity—it is a discretionary product that inflicts serious harm, placing a substantial burden on public health systems and society. He called for immediate action, urging governments to implement simple yet effective measures to regulate alcohol, particularly to protect vulnerable populations such as children and young people.
The “Alcohol Leaves a Mark” campaign seeks to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of alcohol and push for stronger regulations. Through various media efforts like videos and social media storytelling, the campaign highlights the cascading repercussions of alcohol consumption—ranging from health risks and addiction to domestic violence, road injuries, and fatalities. Each narrative underscores the true cost of alcohol, which ultimately damages individuals and the social fabric of communities.
The campaign urges collaboration among policymakers, health partners, media, and the public to share resources and advocate for evidence-based regulation aimed at mitigating alcohol’s harms. “By acknowledging how deeply alcohol impacts our communities, it becomes evident that regulation is vital for their protection,” commented Dr. Piukala.
The necessity for such action is underscored by concerning trends in alcohol consumption within the region. In 2022, the average per-capita alcohol consumption in the Western Pacific was 5.2 liters, exceeding the global average of 5.0 liters. Without robust regulatory measures, consumption is projected to rise, further exacerbating the associated public health issues.
The campaign supports the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030 and incorporates key strategies to minimize alcohol-related harm, such as increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages, restricting availability, banning or severely limiting alcohol marketing, enforcing drink-driving countermeasures, and ensuring that adequate support systems are in place for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders.
Dr. Hiromasa Okayasu, Director of Health Promotion at the WHO Regional Office, stated, “Every policy that successfully reduces alcohol use saves lives.” He expressed the view that the harmful effects of alcohol should no longer be seen as inevitable, underscoring the efficacy of evidence-based policies.
During the recent WHO meeting, attendees emphasized that prioritizing alcohol control is critical. The commitment from health ministers across the region reflects a united approach to address this pressing public health challenge.
Dr. Piukala encouraged everyone to join the effort, reminding them that understanding the harm alcohol inflicts on loved ones is essential for collective action. “Let’s reveal alcohol’s true costs and prevent further damage—let’s #RegulateAlcoholNow,” he urged.
This initiative represents a ray of hope for a healthier future in the Pacific region, as nations come together to confront alcohol-related harms and work collectively towards a better, more resilient society.