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International conference held in Brazil brought together researchers from nearly 50 countries to discuss cancer, advertising, taxes, and the billion-dollar impacts of alcohol consumption on global public health
Alcohol consumption remains deeply normalized in much of the world, but public health experts warn that the damage caused by drinking is much greater than most people imagine. Although smoking is widely recognized as one of the biggest health villains, alcohol still faces a milder perception from the population, even though it is classified as carcinogenic and associated with millions of annual deaths.
The information was released by “Veja Saúde”, based on the debates presented during the eighth edition of the Global Alcohol Policy Conference (GAPC), held in Rio de Janeiro. The event brought together more than 400 researchers, activists, and public managers from nearly 50 countries to discuss global strategies to combat the impacts of alcohol on public health.
According to Laura Cury, coordinator of the Alcohol Project at ACT Health Promotion, alcohol is still treated very permissively socially. For her, the product remains a neglected risk factor, despite the enormous burden it represents for health systems and the global economy.
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Furthermore, experts highlighted that alcohol consumption is related not only to liver diseases but also to cancer, mental disorders, accidents, violence, and loss of economic productivity. The scenario is even more concerning given the expected increase in per capita consumption by 2030.
Alcohol is already considered carcinogenic and causes more than 700,000 cancer cases per year
One of the central points of the conference was the direct link between alcohol and cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) already classifies the substance in the same group of carcinogens as cigarettes and asbestos.
Even so, preventive public policies remain timid in many countries. Currently, alcohol is linked to more than 700,000 annual cancer cases worldwide. In Brazil, the costs related only to oncological treatments caused by alcohol consumption are expected to reach around R$ 4 billion by 2030.
Researchers explain that alcohol increases cancer risks through various biological mechanisms. Even so, public perception of the issue remains distant from the severity presented by scientific studies.
Another important debate revolved around the so-called “commercial determinants of health.” This concept analyzes how certain economic sectors directly impact the health of the population. In this scenario, alcohol appears alongside cigarettes, the ultra-processed food industry, and fossil fuels as responsible for more than 30% of global deaths.
Additionally, experts advocate that alcohol beverage packaging should display more explicit health risk warnings, including cancer-related messages, following a model similar to that adopted for cigarettes.
Taxation, digital advertising, and the growth of consumption among women concern experts
Another topic that gained momentum at the conference was the taxation of alcoholic beverages. According to researchers, increasing the price of alcohol is one of the most effective strategies to reduce excessive consumption.
In Brazil, the tax reform has already included alcoholic beverages in the so-called selective tax, aimed at products considered harmful to health. However, the rate to be applied is yet to be defined.
The economic costs of alcohol also drew attention during the event. A study presented at GAPC showed that excessive consumption generates billion-dollar expenses for the country, including SUS expenses, medical treatments, and productivity loss caused by premature deaths.
According to Eduardo Nilson, a researcher at Fiocruz, the current numbers may still be underestimated. He emphasizes that beer, often seen as a “less dangerous” drink, today represents one of the biggest public health challenges related to alcohol.
Meanwhile, digital advertising appears as another growing problem. Brazilian legislation on alcohol beverage advertising is about 30 years old and does not keep up with the aggressiveness of social media algorithms, which can target personalized content to specific audiences.
Researchers also expressed concern about the increase in consumption among women. According to Natana Magalhães from the NGO Alcoholism Brazil, many women resort to alcohol as a way to relieve emotional and mental overload. The scenario is even more delicate among black women, considered the most vulnerable group.
Global consumption is expected to continue growing until 2030 despite awareness campaigns
Although some younger generations are consuming less alcohol in wealthy countries, studies presented at the congress indicate that global per capita consumption is expected to continue growing until at least 2030, especially in developing countries.
Data published by the scientific journal The Lancet indicate that young people in these regions are drinking more frequently and in larger quantities per occasion.
Another important debate involved the so-called zero alcohol beer. Experts recognize that it can represent a less harmful alternative, but they warn of a marketing problem: as the packaging is generally almost identical to the alcoholic versions, they end up visually strengthening the brands and helping to normalize consumption.
The numbers presented at the event reinforce the magnitude of the global crisis caused by alcohol:
- 12 deaths occur per hour in Brazil due to alcohol;
- 3 million people die each year worldwide as a result of alcohol abuse;
- 10% of the Brazilian population lives with alcohol-related disorders;
- Only 30% of these people have received some form of treatment.
In light of this scenario, researchers advocate for tougher measures, educational campaigns, and more modern public policies to reduce the impact of alcohol on public health.
In the end, the debate raised by the experts goes far beyond simple recreational consumption. The discussion involves public health, economy, regulation, and even how society culturally views alcoholic beverages.
And you, do you believe that alcohol should receive warnings similar to those on cigarette packaging and advertisements?
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