Alcohol use
Alcohol intake in the WHO European Region is the highest in the world. The harmful use of alcohol is related to premature death and avoidable disease and is a major avoidable risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis of the liver and cancer. It is associated with several infectious diseases and contributes significantly to unintentional and intentional injuries. Further, excessive alcohol use during a woman’s pregnancy can lead to severe mental handicap of her child.
WHO/Europe's alcohol policy frameworkTop story
Alcohol policies for the European Region: new WHO research reveals eastern Member States are leading the way
Although the WHO European Region has experienced an overall decrease in alcohol consumption levels, this trend is only associated with the progress achieved by a small number of countries mainly from the eastern part of the Region.
News
- Reducing harm due to alcohol: success stories from 3 countries
- Alcohol policies for the European Region: new WHO research reveals eastern Member States are leading the way
- World Cancer Day: know the facts – tobacco and alcohol both cause cancer
Publications
Alcohol policy impact case study: the effects of alcohol control measures on mortality and life expectancy in the Russian Federation (2019)
More publications
Alcohol and COVID-19
Policy resource
European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020The European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020 includes a range of evidence-based policy options to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
Data and statistics
1 in 5 people
Aged 15 years+ report heavy episodic drinking (5 or more drinks on an occasion, or 60g alcohol) at least once a week.
More data and statistics
Databases
