Lena Savoie
Alcohol and tobacco are two of the world's largest health problems, with both substances causing millions of deaths each year. Tobacco kills more than 8 million people annually, with over 7 million of those deaths resulting from direct tobacco use and around 1.3 million occurring due to exposure to second-hand smoke. Alcohol-related deaths have been on the rise, particularly in the US, with liver disease and alcohol-linked cancer doubling in recent years. While the specific number of annual alcohol-related deaths is not readily available, it is known that alcohol consumption has a causal impact on over 200 health conditions and is a contributing factor in numerous deaths worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths from alcohol each year | 2.6 million |
| Number of deaths from alcohol each year in the US | 178,000 |
| Number of deaths from alcohol each year in the US among males | 119,606 |
| Number of deaths from alcohol each year in the US among females | 58,701 |
| Number of deaths from tobacco each year | N/A |
| Number of deaths from tobacco each year in the US | 490,000 |
| Federal government smoking-caused Medicare expenditures each year | $61.1 billion |
| Other federal government tobacco-caused health care costs | $21.8 billion |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related deaths increased among all age groups in 2020-2021
Alcohol-related deaths have been a significant concern worldwide, with a substantial impact on public health. In the United States, alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death, and recent data reveals concerning trends during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between 2019 and 2020, the first year of the pandemic, alcohol-related deaths in the US surged by 25.5%, from 78,927 to 99,017. This increase was observed across all age groups, with the most significant change occurring among 35- to 44-year-olds, who experienced a nearly 40% increase. The pandemic's impact on mental health and the reduction of coping mechanisms likely contributed to this spike.
In 2021, alcohol-related deaths in the US continued to rise, reaching 108,791, a 9.9% increase from 2020. While there was a slight decrease to 105,415 in 2022, the overall trend underscores the severity of alcohol's impact. These statistics highlight the need for effective strategies to address alcohol harm and prevent premature deaths.
The situation in the United Kingdom echoes this alarming pattern. In 2021, alcohol-related deaths in the UK rose to a record level, with nearly 10,000 people dying from alcohol-related causes. This represented a 7.4% increase from 2020, with liver disease being the leading cause of alcohol-specific deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic likely played a role in the UK as well, with increased consumption among those already drinking at harmful levels.
Globally, alcohol consumption takes a heavy toll, with 2.6 million deaths attributable to alcohol consumption in 2019. The highest numbers were reported in the European and African regions. Notably, alcohol-related death rates per litre of alcohol consumed are highest in low-income countries, underscoring the need for comprehensive strategies to address this issue worldwide.
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2.6 million deaths per year are attributable to alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption is a major health concern, with 2.6 million deaths per year attributable to this behaviour. This figure, reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights the significant impact of alcohol on global health. The report, based on 2019 data, provides a comprehensive update on the public health impact of alcohol and drug use and the situation with alcohol consumption and treatment of substance use disorders worldwide.
The 2.6 million deaths represent 4.7% of all deaths globally, with 2 million of these alcohol-attributable deaths occurring among men. This gender disparity is a notable aspect of the issue. Alcohol use disorders affect millions worldwide, with an estimated 400 million people suffering from these disorders, including 209 million with alcohol dependence. The impact of alcohol extends beyond individual health, as substance use increases the risk of chronic diseases and mental health conditions, resulting in preventable deaths.
The highest proportion of alcohol-attributable deaths in 2019 were among young people aged 20-39 years, with 38% of current drinkers in this age group engaging in heavy episodic drinking. This pattern of drinking, defined as consuming at least 60g of pure alcohol on one occasion in the preceding month, is associated with increased health risks. Furthermore, the death rates due to alcohol consumption per litre of alcohol consumed are highest in low-income countries, indicating a disproportionate impact on these regions.
Alcohol-related deaths can be attributed to various causes, including noncommunicable diseases, injuries, and communicable diseases. In 2019, an estimated 1.6 million deaths were from noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Additionally, 724,000 deaths were due to injuries, such as traffic crashes, self-harm, and interpersonal violence. The impact of alcohol consumption on communicable diseases is also evident, with 284,000 deaths linked to increased risks of HIV transmission and TB infection.
While the overall number of alcohol-related deaths remains high, there has been a slight decrease in per capita consumption globally, from 5.7 litres in 2010 to 5.5 litres in 2019. This reduction is encouraging, but more comprehensive efforts are needed to address the harmful use of alcohol and reduce alcohol-related harms worldwide.
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Tobacco kills more than 490,000 people in the US annually
Despite significant progress in reducing smoking, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Tobacco kills over 490,000 people in the US each year, imposing a devastating toll on families, businesses, and the government. The economic impact of tobacco is also substantial, with healthcare expenditures exceeding $241 billion and productivity losses surpassing $365 billion annually.
Tobacco use has a severe impact on people's health, causing various diseases and increasing the risk of premature death. It is responsible for about one in every five deaths in the United States, making it the single largest preventable cause of death in the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, surpassing other significant causes such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and illegal drug use.
The consequences of tobacco use extend beyond the smoker, as secondhand smoke exposure poses significant health risks to non-smokers, especially children. The smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and at least 69 that are known to cause cancer. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can damage the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Additionally, tobacco use during pregnancy has detrimental effects on both the mother and the developing infant. It increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and various birth defects. The smoke contains nicotine, which can restrict blood flow to the baby and affect their brain development. Moreover, children exposed to secondhand smoke after birth face a higher risk of respiratory infections, ear infections, and asthma.
The impact of tobacco use on families and society is profound. Tobacco-related deaths result in the loss of parents, partners, and children, causing emotional distress and financial challenges for loved ones. Furthermore, the healthcare costs and productivity losses associated with tobacco use impose a significant burden on the economy, impacting government spending and taxpayer money.
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Alcohol is the leading cause of death among young people aged 20-39
Alcohol is the leading cause of death among young people aged 20–39. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 3 million annual deaths attributable to alcohol and drug use, with the majority being among men. In 2019, the highest proportion (13%) of alcohol-attributable deaths were among young people aged 20–39. This age group is particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol, which can include liver disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health issues.
Alcohol is a major contributor to chronic conditions, which account for about two-thirds of alcohol-related deaths. These include liver cirrhosis, various types of cancer, heart disease, and alcohol use disorder. Binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion can also lead to alcohol poisoning, motor vehicle crashes, drug overdoses, and suicide. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the issue, with a reported increase in alcohol-related deaths in 2020.
In the United States alone, excessive alcohol use claims the lives of about 178,000 people each year, with a notable increase during the pandemic. From 2019 to 2020, deaths involving alcohol among people ages 16 and older rose by 25.5%, and this trend continued into 2021 with a further 9.9% increase. While there was a slight decrease in 2022, the numbers still remain alarmingly high.
The impact of alcohol-related deaths extends beyond the individual, affecting families, communities, and healthcare systems. It is important to address this issue through prevention and treatment strategies, such as reducing the availability of alcohol, improving access to healthcare, and raising awareness about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.
While tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, with over 490,000 deaths annually, alcohol is a close second and a significant contributor to premature mortality, especially among young people aged 20–39. The harmful use of alcohol has severe consequences and addressing this issue is crucial to reducing the number of preventable deaths in this age group.
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Alcohol-related deaths are preventable
Alcohol-related deaths occur from drinking alcohol over several years or drinking too much on one occasion. Binge drinking is the most common way that people drink alcohol excessively. Alcohol-related deaths can be prevented through proven policies that make it easier for people to choose to drink less. For example, evidence-based alcohol policies such as reducing the number and concentration of places selling alcohol and increasing alcohol taxes could help reverse increasing alcohol-attributable death rates.
Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of numerous health conditions and mortality. In 2019, the total alcohol per capita consumption in the world population was 5.5 litres, with the highest levels observed in the WHO European Region (9.2 litres) and the Region of the Americas (7.5 litres). This level and frequency of drinking is linked to a higher risk of various health conditions and associated mortality and disability.
Alcohol-attributable deaths in 2019 were estimated at 2.6 million worldwide, with 2 million of these occurring among men. Of all alcohol-related deaths in 2019, 1.6 million were from noncommunicable diseases, including 474,000 deaths from cardiovascular diseases and 401,000 from cancer. 724,000 deaths were due to injuries, such as traffic crashes, self-harm, and interpersonal violence.
While tobacco-related deaths are not the focus of this query, it is worth noting that tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, with over 490,000 people dying annually. This is significantly higher than the number of alcohol-related deaths in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the World Health Organization, 2.6 million deaths per year are attributable to alcohol consumption.
Excessive alcohol use causes about 178,000 deaths in the US each year.
Tobacco kills more than 490,000 people in the US annually.
In the US, tobacco kills more people than alcohol. Globally, alcohol is responsible for more deaths than tobacco, with 2.6 million deaths per year.
