Lena Savoie
Alcohol and tobacco are two of the most common substances used by people worldwide. While both substances have negative impacts on health, the mortality rates differ. Alcohol is a causal risk factor for over 230 disease conditions, and excessive alcohol use can lead to about 178,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. On the other hand, tobacco kills more people globally, with approximately 8% of all deaths attributed to smoking, compared to 5% for alcohol. Smoking-related deaths are estimated at 400,000 annually in the United States, and it is reported that smokers lose about ten years of their lives due to smoking. While alcohol is linked to a range of health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke, tobacco's distinct harm to health has led to calls for stricter regulation of the industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global Deaths | Alcohol kills approximately 5% of people, while tobacco kills 8% of people. |
| Diseases | Alcohol is a causal factor in over 230 diseases, and is a component cause of more than 200 diseases, injuries, and health problems. Tobacco is distinct in the harm it causes, and is highly addictive. |
| Addictive Substances | Alcohol addiction is less common than tobacco addiction, with a minority of drinkers addicted to alcohol. |
| Mortality Rates | There are an estimated 400,000 deaths from tobacco and 100,000 deaths from alcohol reported annually in the US. |
| Preventable Deaths | Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death, with approximately 178,000 people dying from excessive drinking each year in the US. |
| Socioeconomic Impact | Both substances cause more damage in socioeconomically deprived populations and exacerbate health inequalities. |
| Underreporting | Alcohol-related deaths may be more likely to be under-reported than tobacco-related deaths. |
| Drinking Patterns | Drinking patterns affect health risks, with heavy episodic drinking increasing the risk of health loss or harm. |
| Protective Effects | At low levels, alcohol has a protective effect on ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, and diabetes. |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol kills fewer people than tobacco
Tobacco, meanwhile, is the single greatest cause of preventable death globally. Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, illegal drugs, murder, and suicides combined. It is highly addictive, and of all the children who take up smoking each year, almost a third will die from it. Smokers lose around ten years of life expectancy due to their habit. Tobacco is distinct in the harm it causes, and the industry that produces it has been shown to have transgressed the most basic ethical responsibilities in pursuit of profit.
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance by people aged 12 and older in the United States. Excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death in the US, causing around 178,000 deaths per year. This figure has increased by 29% since 2016-17. Two-thirds of these deaths are from chronic conditions that develop over time, such as cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol use disorder. The remaining third are from binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion, and include motor vehicle crashes, drug overdoses, alcohol poisoning, and suicide.
While alcohol kills fewer people than tobacco, both substances are harmful and addictive, and both are more damaging to socioeconomically deprived populations, exacerbating health inequalities. Both industries profit from unhealthy levels of consumption, and both have been the target of public health policies aimed at reducing consumption.
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Alcohol is a causal factor in over 230 diseases
The toxic effects of ethanol and other compounds found in alcoholic beverages contribute to the development of alcohol-related diseases. Heavy alcohol use is associated with increased surgical complications, abnormalities in hemostasis, wound healing, and cardiopulmonary function, and interactions with medications. It can also lead to potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms and chronic alcohol-related problems such as liver disease, pancreatitis, GI bleeding, and an increased risk of various cancers. Alcohol is an established carcinogen, and alcohol consumption is linked to a higher risk of cancers, including breast, liver, head and neck, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers.
Alcohol consumption also contributes to noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders. In 2019, an estimated 474,000 deaths from cardiovascular diseases were caused by alcohol consumption. Alcohol-attributable mortality is higher among men, with 2 million deaths compared to 600,000 deaths among women in 2019. Additionally, alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which can result in developmental disabilities and birth defects.
Alcohol consumption also causes significant harm to others, not just the drinker. Alcohol-related injuries include road traffic accidents, falls, drowning, burns, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and suicide. A causal relationship has been established between alcohol use and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV. Furthermore, alcohol contributes to social problems and places a financial burden on healthcare services.
While alcohol kills fewer people globally than tobacco (approximately 5% compared to 8% of all deaths), it is important to note that both substances cause more damage in socioeconomically deprived populations and exacerbate health inequalities. The public health impact of alcohol is not limited to those who are addicted or drinking in obviously problematic ways but also includes those who engage in risky drinking patterns. Therefore, effective alcohol control interventions are necessary to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol consumption on individuals and society.
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Drinking patterns affect the risk of infectious diseases
Alcohol kills fewer people than tobacco globally, with alcohol accounting for approximately 5% of all deaths compared to 8% for tobacco. However, alcohol is a causal risk factor for over 230 disease conditions, and drinking patterns can significantly affect the risk of developing infectious diseases.
Heavy episodic drinking or heavy continuous drinking increases the risk of various diseases, including infectious diseases. Alcohol consumption can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections. For example, heavy drinking impairs the ability of immune cells to identify and destroy bacteria in the lungs, increasing the risk of respiratory infections. Chronic alcohol misuse can also cause severe lung diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is 2-4 times more common in individuals with a history of alcohol abuse.
Alcohol use can further increase the risk of developing infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, HIV, and COVID-19. It can also negatively impact the treatment outcomes of these diseases. For instance, alcohol misuse can lead to liver damage, activating immune cells and causing inflammation. The liver is responsible for producing antibacterial proteins, so chronic liver damage can increase susceptibility to infectious diseases.
The impact of alcohol consumption on health outcomes is influenced by the total volume consumed and drinking patterns, including drinking frequency and heavy drinking episodes. Alcohol-related harms are typically associated with heavy drinking, and the context of alcohol consumption also plays a role in the occurrence of alcohol-related harm, especially in cases of alcohol intoxication. Additionally, there are gender differences in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related mortality and morbidity, with higher current drinking rates among men than women.
It is important for individuals to understand the risks associated with alcohol consumption and make informed choices to protect themselves from its harmful effects. Consulting a healthcare professional can help individuals assess their drinking patterns and determine the best course of action based on their personal risk factors, including family history, genetics, and lifestyle.
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Alcohol is responsible for social problems
Alcohol is responsible for a range of social issues, which extend beyond the individual drinker to their family, community, and society as a whole. Firstly, alcohol misuse can lead to family problems, including child abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence, and substance use issues among children. Research has found a correlation between problem drinking among African-American women and exposure to alcohol advertisements, suggesting that increased ad exposure may lead to higher alcohol consumption. This can have intergenerational effects, as children growing up in households with a parent with an alcohol use disorder are more likely to develop psychological and emotional problems.
Secondly, alcohol misuse can cause issues in the workplace and educational settings. It leads to billions in lost productivity and negatively impacts academic performance and achievement. Alcohol consumption is also associated with a higher risk of unemployment.
Thirdly, alcohol plays a significant role in intentional injuries and violence, with numerous studies linking alcohol to physical aggression. This has implications for law enforcement and the criminal justice system, with drunk driving accidents and increased crime rates also being linked to alcohol misuse.
Finally, alcohol misuse has substantial economic costs, with the US spending an estimated $28 billion annually on alcohol-related healthcare, and the criminal justice system facing additional costs of $25 billion due to alcohol-related violence. These economic costs are compounded by the societal impact of alcohol abuse, which affects marriages, families, communities, schools, and the workplace.
While alcohol kills fewer people than tobacco globally (approximately 5% of all deaths compared to 8% for tobacco), it is a causal risk factor for over 230 diseases and is associated with various social problems. The social issues caused by alcohol misuse are wide-ranging and highlight the need to address the underlying determinants that drive alcohol consumption and to strengthen healthcare systems to better support those struggling with alcohol use disorders.
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Smoking kills more people than alcohol, car accidents, and suicides combined
The high mortality rates from tobacco smoking are evident, even among abstinent alcoholics in recovery. Studies have shown that abstinence from alcohol can eliminate the premature deaths associated with active alcoholism. However, similar studies have not shown the same positive impact of abstinence on nicotine addiction. This underscores the severe health risks posed by tobacco use.
The dangers of tobacco are particularly pronounced in socioeconomically deprived populations, exacerbating health inequalities. The tobacco industry's unethical pursuit of profit has contributed to the harm caused by their products, which has been estimated to cost federal and state governments in the US billions of dollars in smoking-caused Medicaid and Medicare expenditures.
Furthermore, tobacco use starts at a young age, with kids being three times more susceptible to tobacco advertising than adults. Alarmingly, almost a third of kids who become new regular, daily smokers each year will ultimately die from it, losing a decade of their lives due to smoking.
While alcohol also poses significant health risks, the global death rate attributed to alcohol is lower, at approximately 5%. Alcohol-related deaths are often caused by chronic conditions that develop over time, such as cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol use disorder. Additionally, binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion can lead to alcohol poisoning, motor vehicle crashes, and drug overdoses.
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Frequently asked questions
Tobacco kills more people than alcohol globally, with alcohol causing approximately 5% of deaths and tobacco causing 8%.
Alcohol is a causal risk factor for over 230 disease conditions. Excessive alcohol use can lead to liver disease, alcohol poisoning, and alcohol use disorder. It is also a component cause of more than 200 diseases, injuries, and health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Tobacco is highly addictive and can cause cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It is also a major cause of premature death, with users losing an average of 10 years of their lives.
Both alcohol and tobacco have negative impacts on socioeconomically deprived populations and exacerbate health inequalities. Additionally, the two industries derive their profitability from unhealthy levels of consumption.
