Worldwide, 2.6 million deaths were attributable to alcohol consumption in 2019 alone, representing 4.7 percent of all deaths in that year. Furthermore, an estimated 1.34 billion people consumed harmful amounts of alcohol in 2020.
The impact of alcohol consumption on health varies by age group. Among individuals aged 15–39, most disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost are due to injuries. For those aged 40–64, the burden shifts to chronic conditions like cancer, while in people aged 65 and older, cardiovascular diseases become the primary cause of alcohol-related health issues.
UNITAR seeks to assist governments in tackling this issue by aligning with the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol and its 2022–2030 action plan, as well as the WHO’s SAFER Alcohol Control Initiative. This effort calls for a comprehensive approach that combines public health interventions, education, community involvement, and strategic partnerships to mitigate the factors contributing to alcohol use and its associated harms.
Reducing Illicit Alcohol
UNITAR
The WHO estimates that illicit alcohol accounts for 25.5 percent of total global adult alcohol consumption, posing significant fiscal and health challenges for governments. Numerous cases of mass methanol poisoning have resulted in hundreds of illnesses and deaths and annual government losses estimated at up to US$3.6 billion. The Tackling and Reducing Illicit Alcohol project seeks to support governments - through training and capacity building – to design and implement comprehensive approaches that combine public health interventions, education, community involvement, and strategic partnerships to mitigate the factors contributing to illicit alcohol and its associated harms.
In line with the above-cited global frameworks, the project “Tackling the Challenges of Illicit Alcohol”, seeks to equip governments, law enforcement, and various stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to combat this issue, offering valuable resources to help them understand the root causes and implement solutions through capacity building and learning tools.
Reducing Underage Drinking
UNITAR
Young people bear a disproportionate burden of the harms caused by alcohol consumption. For ages 15 to 39, there are no health benefits to alcohol use — only serious health risks. Alcohol use among young people often leads to a higher rate of injuries, contributing to increased deaths and disabilities. In 2019, individuals aged 20–39 were disproportionately affected by alcohol consumption, with the highest proportion (13%) of alcohol-attributable deaths occurring within this age group. Alcohol was responsible for 7.2 percent of all premature mortality worldwide in 2016.
The Reducing Underage Drinking Project takes a proactive, prevention-focused approach to address this crisis. By promoting responsible retail practices, enhancing community accountability, and increasing public awareness, the initiative aims to contribute to a measurable reduction in harmful drinking behaviors—protecting the well-being of young people and fostering stronger, safer communities.