Alcohol Legalization In India: Pros And Cons

Alcohol consumption in India has risen by over 55% in 20 years, despite varying legal restrictions across states. While some states have prohibited alcohol consumption altogether, others have different legal drinking ages, ranging from 18 to 25 years old. The affordability of alcohol and peer pressure among the youth have contributed to its increasing consumption, with alcohol policies still evolving to address these concerns. This situation raises the question of whether legalising alcohol consumption uniformly across India would be beneficial or detrimental to society.

Alcohol consumption in India has risen by 55% in 20 years despite legal restrictions

Alcohol consumption in India has risen by 55% over 20 years despite legal restrictions, according to a report by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The report, which examined the economic and health implications of alcohol consumption in 34 member countries and several non-member countries, found that India had the third-highest increase in alcohol intake between 1992 and 2012, after the Russian Federation and Estonia.

While some Indian states, such as Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland, and Mizoram, prohibit alcohol consumption, others permit it and set a legal drinking age ranging from 18 to 25 years old. The variation in regulations across states provides a unique setting to study the effects of alcohol policies. Despite the restrictions, alcohol consumption has increased due to factors such as affordability, peer pressure, and cultural influences. The rise in consumption has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including liver, heart, and brain ailments, and an increased risk of certain cancers.

The Indian government has implemented various measures to address alcohol consumption, including dry days during major festivals and elections, and restrictions on alcohol sales near religious towns and highways. Additionally, some states, like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, have government monopolies on alcohol retail, while others allow sales in groceries and departmental stores. These policies aim to balance public health concerns with the economic impacts of alcohol consumption.

The effectiveness of alcohol regulation in India is a subject of ongoing research. Studies suggest that alcohol prohibition laws can reduce consumption and have positive impacts on public health and safety, particularly regarding intimate partner violence and crimes against women. However, the enforcement of such laws can be challenging, and the complex relationship between drinking and societal harm warrants further examination, especially in the context of a developing country with evolving alcohol policies.

The rise in alcohol consumption in India, particularly among youth and women, underscores the need for comprehensive policies and interventions. While legal restrictions are in place, their effectiveness is limited by factors such as affordability, cultural norms, and varying enforcement across states. Addressing the public health and societal impacts of alcohol consumption requires a multifaceted approach that considers prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies.

Alcohol is a state subject in India, with different drinking ages and laws in each state

The laws governing alcohol sales and consumption vary significantly from state to state in India. While some states have a flat-out ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol, others have different legal drinking ages for different types of alcoholic beverages. Despite these legal restrictions, alcohol consumption in India has risen over 55% in the last 20 years, according to OECD figures. This is partly due to the lack of stringent laws specifically supervising underage drinking and the easy availability of alcohol. Underage drinking is common in India, often facilitated by fake IDs and peer pressure.

To address this issue, some states have implemented specific regulations. For example, the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 sets the legal drinking limit as a blood alcohol level of 30 mg per 100 ml and authorizes officers to conduct breathalyzer tests on suspected drunk drivers. Additionally, a ban on alcohol sales within 500 meters of National or State Highways was passed in 2017. Furthermore, India has Dry days when the sale of alcohol is not allowed on specific days, such as major national festivals and election days.

The varying drinking ages and laws in different Indian states reflect the country's diverse cultural and historical contexts. Alcohol consumption in India has a long history, dating back to the Vedic age and even earlier in Hindu mythology. The constitution makers of India recognized this diversity and chose to make alcohol a state subject, allowing for variation in alcohol laws across the country.

Alcohol prohibition laws in India reduce consumption and crimes against women

Alcohol prohibition laws in India vary from state to state. While some states like Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland, and Mizoram prohibit alcohol consumption, others have a minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) ranging from 18 to 25 years. Despite legal restrictions, alcohol consumption in India has risen over 55% in 20 years, as the laws are generally not followed.

Alcohol prohibition laws in India have been shown to reduce consumption and crimes against women. Studies have found that men who are legally allowed to drink are substantially more likely to consume alcohol and commit violence against their partners. This suggests a link between alcohol consumption and domestic violence. Additionally, high rates of alcohol consumption are correlated with adverse outcomes such as increased mortality, injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and criminal activity.

The implementation of alcohol prohibition policies in certain Indian states has resulted in lower drinking rates among men and a decrease in violence against women. This is in line with the findings of Luca et al. (2015), who suggest that prohibition laws in India can effectively reduce alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence, as well as some other crimes against women.

Furthermore, the directive principles of state policy (DPSP) in the constitution of India advocate for the prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks, except for medicinal purposes. Mahatma Gandhi and many Indian women also supported national prohibition.

While prohibition has reduced alcohol consumption and crimes against women, it has also led to issues such as illegal liquor production, smuggling, and illicit sales. For example, the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989 (NLTP Act) banned alcohol sales and consumption, but enforcement has been lax, with authorities turning a blind eye or even engaging in bootlegging themselves. Additionally, prohibition has resulted in some men turning to toxic liquor, as seen in the 2022 Gujarat toxic liquor deaths.

In conclusion, alcohol prohibition laws in India have been effective in reducing consumption and crimes against women, but they have also given rise to illegal activities and toxic liquor consumption. The varying implementation and enforcement of these laws across states highlight the complex nature of alcohol regulation in India.

Alcohol affordability in India is very low, leading to addiction and negative societal impacts

Alcohol affordability in India is very low, with prices being highly inelastic. This means that a 1% increase in price leads to only a 0.057% decline in consumption. This has led to a rise in alcohol consumption in India, with a reported increase from 4.3 litres per capita in 2010 to 5.7 litres in 2016, which is concerning given the well-documented adverse outcomes of excessive drinking.

The affordability of alcohol in India is a significant factor contributing to alcohol addiction and negative societal impacts. The low price of alcohol makes it easily accessible to a large portion of the population, including those with lower socioeconomic statuses, lower education levels, and unemployment. This accessibility has led to a high prevalence of alcohol consumption in India, with one in seven Indians in the 10-75 age group using alcohol, according to a 2019 government survey. The same survey also revealed a striking gender disparity, with 27.3% of men and only 1.6% of women consuming alcohol. This disparity is even more pronounced in certain states, such as Chhattisgarh, Tripura, and Punjab, where more than half of the male population consumes alcohol.

The high affordability and consumption of alcohol in India have led to several negative societal impacts. Firstly, there is a significant correlation between alcohol consumption and negative health consequences, including increased rates of mortality, injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and criminal activity. Alcohol consumption has also been linked to domestic violence, with studies showing that men who are legally allowed to drink are significantly more likely to commit violence against their partners. Alcohol consumption has also been associated with drunken driving, murders, and violence against women, receiving worldwide attention and highlighting the need for policy interventions.

The affordability of alcohol in India has also contributed to heavy episodic drinking, with about 43% of alcohol users consuming more than four drinks on a single occasion. This excessive drinking has led to a high prevalence of alcohol dependence, with one in five men and one in 16 women suffering from alcohol addiction. The negative consequences of alcohol consumption extend beyond the individual level, as alcohol-related accidents and crimes impose a significant burden on the healthcare system and law enforcement.

While policymakers have considered increasing alcohol prices through tax instruments to curb consumption, the fiscal dependence of states on alcohol revenues prevents them from imposing stronger restrictions. Additionally, a complete ban on alcohol is not a feasible solution due to the potential rise of black marketing and illicit alcohol production. As a result, India continues to struggle with the negative impacts of alcohol affordability, including health issues, social problems, and economic consequences. Addressing this complex issue requires a comprehensive approach that balances the generation of income through alcohol taxes with the need to protect public health and safety.

Alcohol regulation in India is still in flux, with states frequently changing policies

Alcohol regulation in India is a complex and dynamic issue, with laws varying significantly across different states. Alcohol policies in India are still evolving, with states frequently changing their regulations. For instance, the state of Mizoram repealed prohibition in 2014, while the state of Kerala started phasing it in during the same year, and Bihar enforced prohibition in 2016.

The legal drinking age in India, as well as the laws governing the sale and consumption of alcohol, differ from state to state. Some states, like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, prohibit private parties from owning liquor stores, making the state government the sole retailer of alcohol. In some states, alcohol may be sold at grocery stores, departmental stores, banquet halls, or farmhouses. Liquor is generally not sold online.

India has specific "dry days" when the sale of alcohol is prohibited in states that usually allow it. These days are typically observed during major national festivals, occasions, and holidays, such as Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. Dry days are also common during elections. However, the rules for dry days can vary depending on the establishment selling alcohol; for instance, five-star hotels, clubs, and resorts in West Bengal are exempt from these restrictions.

The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 sets the legal drinking limit as a blood alcohol level of 30 mg per 100 ml, and authorizes officers to conduct breathalyzer tests on suspected drink drivers. There are also bans on alcohol sales within 500 meters of highways and in certain religious towns. Despite these regulations, alcohol consumption in India has risen over 55% in 20 years, according to OECD figures. and has been linked to various adverse outcomes, including increased mortality, injuries, accidents, and criminal activity.

The impact of alcohol regulation in India is a unique area of study due to the varying policies across states. While prohibition has been shown to reduce alcohol consumption and related issues, the overall policy environment is currently insufficient to address the harms caused by rising consumption.

Frequently asked questions