By CGTN Africa
Globally, 3 million people die each year as a result of harmful use of alcohol – one every 10 seconds – representing about 5 percent of all deaths.
A disproportionate number of these alcohol–related deaths occur among younger people, with 13.5 percent of all deaths among those who are 20–39 years of age being alcohol-related.
According to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) there is need for more effective regulation in online marketing techniques for alcohol.
“Alcohol robs young people, their families and societies of their lives and potential,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “Yet despite the clear risks to health, controls on the marketing of alcohol are much weaker than for other psychoactive products. Better, well enforced and more consistent regulation of alcohol marketing would both save and improve young lives across the world.”
The report shows that young people and heavy drinkers are increasingly targeted by alcohol advertising, often to the detriment of their health.
While many countries have some form of restrictions on alcohol marketing in place, generally they tend to be relatively weak.
WHO now urges national governments to integrate comprehensive restrictions or bans of alcohol marketing, including its cross-border aspects, into public health strategies.
