Time to Take Actions to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol in China

Abstract

Harmful use of alcohol negatively impacts and harms the drinkers, the people around them, and society at large. Harmful use of alcohol ranks among the top 5 risk factors for disease, disability, and death worldwide, and alcohol consumption is related to approximately 230 health conditions including infectious disease, noncommunicable diseases, and injuries (1-2). DISEASE BURDEN OF ALCOHOLWorldwide, alcohol use was responsible for some 3 million deaths (5.3% of all deaths) and 132.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) (5.1% of all DALYs) in 2016 (2). In China, alcohol caused 381,200 deaths and decreased people's life expectancy by an average of 0.43 years in 2013 (3). In that year, in terms of population attributable risk of deaths, 44.56% of cirrhosis, 28.80% of esophageal cancer, 27.65% of nasopharyngeal cancer, 27.45% of epilepsy, and 25.13% of liver cancer were attributable to alcohol consumption in China (3). Disturbingly, the burden of disease and injuries resulting from alcohol consumption increased rapidly in China. According to the global burden of disease (GBD) study, from 1990 to 2017, the total number of DALYs and the agestandardized DALY rate due to alcohol consumption increased by 58.51% and 16.02%, respectively (4).

Peers influence the tobacco and alcohol use of Chinese adolescents

“…More than one million Chinese citizens die each year from diseases associated with tobacco use (WHO, 2018). Although most Chinese public health concerns have focused on tobacco, there has been enhanced concern about alcohol use because this has increased rapidly and is associated with multiple health problems (Ji et al, 2021).…”

China’s Changing Alcohol Market and Need for an Enhanced Policy Response: A Narrative Review

“…China's taxation system reflects the higher potency of spirits to some extent. However, the retail price index of alcohol products has shown a downward trend, indicating that the relevant tax policies have not played an effective role in controlling affordability, nor, therefore, consumption and harm [53]. A draft law under consideration would prevent the alcohol tax being increased in order to reduce harm, despite the recommendation in China's plan to reduce NCDs to improve tax policy.…”

“…Taxation is one of the most-cost effective policies for reducing alcohol harm, providing it affects the affordability of the products [53]. In China, both value-added tax (17%) and a specific excise tax are in place.…”

The efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for the treatment of alcohol use disorder among adult males: a randomized controlled trial comparing with acceptance and commitment therapy and treatment as usual

“…Unfortunately, the alcohol-related burden of disease and injury increased rapidly in China from 1990 to 2017, in which the prevalence of DALYs and age-standardized DALY rate was at 58.51 and 16.02%, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. In 2013, China registered 381,200 alcohol-related mortality cases and alcohol caused reduced life expectancy of the Chinese people by 0.43 years ( 2 ).…”