The global health burden related to excessive alcohol consumption, both in terms of morbidity and mortality, is considerable in most parts of the world (Rehm et al., 2009; WHO, 2004b). It is associated with numerous harmful health and social consequences, including drunkenness and alcohol dependence. High alcohol intake increases the risk for heart, stroke and vascular diseases, as well as liver cirrhosis and certain cancers. Foetal exposure to alcohol increases the risk of birth defects and intellectual impairments. Alcohol also contributes to death and disability through accidents and injuries, assault, violence, homicide and suicide, and is estimated to cause more than 2 million deaths annually. It is, however, one of the major avoidable risk factors for disease.
Alcohol consumption, as measured by annual sales, stands on average across OECD countries at 9.7 litres per adult, using the most recent data available. -Leaving aside Luxembourg - given the high volume of purchases by non-residents in that country - Ireland, Hungary and France reported the highest consumption of alcohol, with 13.0 litres or more per adult per year in 2006-07. At the other end of the scale, Turkey, Mexico and some of the Nordic countries (Norway and Sweden) have relatively low levels of alcohol -consumption, ranging from one to seven litres per adult (Figure 2.6.1).
Although average alcohol consumption has gradually fallen in many OECD countries over the past two decades, it has risen in some others (Figure 2.6.2). There has been a degree of convergence in drinking habits across the OECD, with wine consumption increasing in many traditional beer-drinking countries and vice versa. The traditional wine-producing countries of Italy, France and Spain, as well as the -Slovak Republic and Greece, have seen their alcohol consumption per capita drop substantially since 1980 (Figure 2.6.2 and Figure 2.6.3). On the other hand, alcohol consumption per capita in Iceland, Ireland and -Mexico rose by as much as 40% or more since 1980 although, in the case of Iceland and Mexico, it started from a very low level and therefore remains -relatively low. . . . . .
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