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OUR HYPOCRISY ON ALCOHOL: IT’S ABOUT POLITICS AND MONEY — NOT HEALTH

Relevance: GS2 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Why in the News?

• The bureaucratic approach is evident in Uttarakhand’s recent reversal of the order regarding restrictions on home alcohol use by riders, highlighting the inconsistency and complexity of alcohol-related policies.
• Politicians and bureaucracy lack a health-centric focus in the policy decision.
• Is the widespread report of record-breaking alcohol sales during Diwali a cause for celebration or concern, prompting reflection on its societal implications and potential impact on public health?

Concerns regarding Alcoholism

• Societal Abuse:
  • Abuse is defined societally as an inability to fulfill one’s role or causing regular inconvenience to family or society.
  • Recognition of issues arises when external impacts, such as domestic violence or traffic accidents, become prominent.
• Public Response:
  • Public response to alcohol-related issues is triggered when externalities, like domestic violence, traffic accidents, or family impoverishment, reach a noticeable level.
  • Society tends to label it as a public concern when the broader community is adversely affected.
• Limited Sympathy for Individual Suffering:
  • Individual suffering due to alcohol use disorder, such as cirrhosis of the liver, often receives limited sympathy.
  • There’s a societal tendency to downplay sympathy for those facing health issues resulting from alcohol abuse.
• Impact on Women and Social Protests:
  • Women are often adversely affected by men’s alcohol use, leading to women-led social protests against alcohol-related issues.
  • Social movements around alcohol commonly find women at the forefront due to the disproportionate impact on them.
• Class Disparities and Responsibility:
  • Societal perspective: The rich have the freedom to choose, while the poor are expected to behave responsibly, given financial constraints.
  • Upper castes adopt a moral stance equating alcohol use with “tamasic” food, emphasizing responsible behavior.
• Cultural Variations and Hypocrisy:
  • Cultural diversity: Tribal societies openly embrace alcohol, while some Indians, including upper castes, consume it privately, exposing societal hypocrisy.
  • Public vs. private alcohol consumption reveals a discrepancy in societal perceptions and behaviors.
• Political and Gender Stereotypes:
  • Politicians, especially women, face criticism for drinking, despite potential lack of impact on performance.
  • Perception of alcohol as a corruption brought by Western culture contrasts with historical evidence of its presence in Indian culture.

Religious Perspectives on Alcohol

• Islam forbids alcohol consumption, Christianity is perceived as permissive, and Hinduism lacks explicit prohibition.
• Many religious sects impose restrictions or allow alcohol on specific days, reflecting a nuanced societal balance.
• Cultural Norms and Temporal Restrictions:
  • Alcohol consumption is viewed through a religious lens, with society prescribing it on certain days and allowing it on others.
  • Cultural norms contribute to a delicate balance between acceptance and restriction of alcohol use.

Indian Constitutional Basis

• India’s choice of targeting a 10% reduction in alcohol use, not limited to harmful use, aligns with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Constitution.
• The DPSP emphasizes the state’s commitment to strive for the prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs, except for medicinal purposes.
  • The state is directed to work towards prohibiting the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs harmful to health.
  • The constitutional basis underlines India’s commitment to public health through regulatory measures on alcohol consumption.

Contradiction in Political Approach across regions

• Haryana’s Licensing System:
  • Haryana’s shift from prohibition to a licensing system exemplifies a focus on revenue over health concerns.
  • Its policy evolution includes a licensing system, resulting in numerous alcohol vends in Faridabad and Gurgaon.
  • The emphasis on revenue generation has driven this shift away from earlier prohibition attempts.
• Kerala’s Revenue-Driven Approach:
  • Kerala’s departure from partial prohibition is driven by the need for revenue generation.
  • The state government’s decision reflects the balancing act between economic considerations and public health concerns.
• Tamil Nadu’s Safety Measures:
  • Tamil Nadu government’s foray into alcohol sales through the State Marketing Corporation aims to ensure citizens’ safety.
  • The move responds to past hooch tragedies, indicating a shift toward state-controlled alcohol distribution for safety reasons.
• Gandhian Legacy in Gujarat: Prohibition in Gujarat remains untouched as a Gandhian legacy.
• Mizoram’s Policy Shift: Mizoram, a Christian-majority state, initially imposed prohibition, later allowing local wineries following public protests.

WHO’s Policy Shift

• WHO transitioned from endorsing the idea that “some alcohol is good” to a more stringent stance of “no alcohol is good” due to advocacy from public health and activist groups.
• The change reflects evolving global perspectives on the health impacts of alcohol consumption.
• Global Targets in 2013:
  • During the 2013 setting of global targets, WHO and some countries aimed for a 10% reduction in harmful alcohol use.
  • India, in contrast, targeted a 10% reduction in overall alcohol use, aligning with constitutional principles.

Issues in Handling Alcohol issues

• Ambivalence in Indian Public Policy: Analyze the use of terms like “alcohol use or abuse” and their implications on societal attitudes and policy formulation.
• Interstate Competition and Tax Policies: Delhi and Haryana engage in competitive tax revisions, with Delhi’s revoked policy permitting discounts. The competitive tax environment highlights the economic motivations behind alcohol policies.
• GST Resistance and Revenue Concerns: Most states resist bringing alcohol into the GST scheme due to fears of revenue loss. Economic considerations often override the potential benefits of integrating alcohol into the GST framework.
• Bureaucratic Complexity: India’s alcohol policy is marred by bureaucratic intricacies, evident in the concept of official “dry days” linked to religious and salary considerations.
• Official “Dry Days”: It ban alcohol sale and public consumption, particularly on religious and salary days. The system aims to prevent inconvenience by notifying these days in advance, reflecting a compromise between policy and public convenience.
• Weak Enforcement of Public Health Measures: Public health measures to curb alcohol use parallel tobacco control strategies, including limiting access, raising taxes, prohibiting marketing, and awareness campaigns.
• Surrogate Advertising Challenge: Alcohol firms circumvent advertising bans through surrogate advertising, evident even during major events like the cricket World Cup.
• Lack of Legislative Remedy: Despite the potential for legislative remedies to address advertising violations, governments display a lack of intent to implement corrective measures. The absence of legislative action perpetuates the challenges in enforcing advertising bans and other public health measures.
• False Dichotomy Between Traditionalism and Modernism: Open discussions should delve into these dichotomies to foster a nuanced understanding of cultural perspectives.

Solutions to handle Alcohol Issues

• Need for Open Discussions:
  • To tackle ambivalence and hypocrisy surrounding alcohol, society requires open, non-judgmental discussions.
  • A platform for dialogue can foster a better understanding of divergent perspectives on alcohol use.
• Call for a Rational National Alcohol Policy:
  • Until society confronts its contradictions and engages in open discussions, achieving a rational National alcohol policy remains elusive.
  • The need for a coherent and rational approach to alcohol policy hinges on society’s readiness to confront its inherent hypocrisy.
• Trade-offs Between Health and Revenue:
  • The trade-offs between mitigating health impacts and revenue generation need comprehensive debate.
  • Society should deliberate on finding a balance that addresses both public health concerns and economic considerations.
• Revelation of Societal Hypocrisy:
  • Alcohol’s role in bringing societal hypocrisy to light emphasizes the need for candid discussions.
  • Open dialogue can unveil the contradictions in societal attitudes towards alcohol and prompt reflection.
• Readiness to Confront and Act:
  • A fundamental question arises: Is society prepared to confront its hypocrisy regarding alcohol?
  • The willingness to acknowledge and address societal contradictions will determine the effectiveness of future policy measures.
• Balancing Act:
  • Explore trade-offs between health impact mitigation and revenue generation.
  • Analyze the challenges policymakers face in finding a balance between public health concerns and economic considerations.
• Challenging Dichotomies:
  • Debunk false dichotomies between traditionalism and modernism in alcohol policy.
  • Examine the role of religion and its impact on policy decisions related to alcohol consumption.
• Cause for Celebration or Concern: Examine the need for a balanced public policy respecting individual choice while promoting safer alcohol consumption.
• Role of Medical Professionals: Discuss the apparent endorsement of alcohol use by doctors, as observed in their presence at alcohol counters during medical conferences.
• Medical Perspective on Alcohol: The medical viewpoint on alcohol, considering its impact on health, specifically heart disease and liver function and the historical endorsement of moderate alcohol use by medical professionals, influenced by Western data.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-cost-of-ambivalence-9028236/

Mains question

Examine the multifaceted impact of alcohol consumption on public health. Propose effective policy measures for mitigating the associated challenges. (250 words)