Three million people die annually due to alcohol consumption. How much is they drinking in Romania
Three million people die annually due to harmful alcohol consumption, which generates 17% of cancer cases from the seven associated types, according to a specialized report, from which it appears that the average annual alcohol consumption in Romania is high.
3 million people die annually due to excessive alcohol consumption. Photo shutterstock
“Alcohol consumption is a major public health problem worldwide, Including in Romania, having significant implications on individual and collective health, the lives of millions of people around the world being affected by it. Between May – June 2025, Inspit, in partnership with the Directorates of Public Health, will carry out the national campaign for the prevention of alcohol consumption «Be yourself! You do not need alcohol! ”, Aiming to increase the level of information and awareness of adolescents, parents and general population regarding the negative impact that alcohol consumption has on health and life”, In a press release, the National Institute of Public Health announced on Tuesday.
According to data transmitted by specialists, alcohol consumption increases the risk of oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, liver, colorectal and breast cancer, and has adverse effects on the cardio-vascular and digestive tract.
“Alcohol is a substance that can cause addiction, and teenagers and young adults have the highest risk of being affected in the long term. Young people who consume alcohol have a 4 -fold higher risk of becoming alcohol addicts in adulthood ”, It looks insp.
The institution points out that alcohol is dangerous to teenagers.
The more teenagers delay the onset of alcohol consumption, the less exposed to the risks associated with it. Therefore, it is essential for parents to help their children in choosing not to consume alcohol.
“Parents' early intervention can prevent alcohol problems in adolescents. They need to be informed about risks and supported to make healthy choices. As there is no alcohol consumption, it is recommended to avoid age, regardless of age.”Insp.
Consumption of alcohol in Romania
The average annual alcohol consumption in Romania is high, being at 10.3 liters pure alcohol per capita in 2023.
“In addition, on average, over one third of adults in Romania said they consumed excess alcohol at least once a month in 2019, the second largest rate in the EU (35.0 % compared to the EU average of 18.5 %). There is a strong gender disappearance in excessive alcohol consumption, more than half of men (53.1 %), but less than one in five women (18.0 %) reporting such behavior in 2019”, Shows the data transmitted by Insp.
The rates of repeated intoxication among adolescents in Romania are worrying, they are at the level of 17 %, similar to the EU average of 18 %.
Consumption of alcohol worldwide
According to the data transmitted by specialists, the harmful consumption of alcohol leads to the death of 3 million people annually, to the appearance of 230 different types of diseases and it also affects the well -being and health of other people in the family and community, being responsible for 5.1% of the global burden of the disease, representing the main risk factor for the premature mortality between 15 49 years and totaling 10% of all deaths at this age group.
“In 2018, the total alcohol consumption worldwide was 6.2 liters pure alcohol /per person aged 15 and over, and the unregistered consumption (the alcohol that is outside the ordinary control system) represented 26% of the total consumption”, Insp.
Consumption of alcohol at European level
According to IMP, in the European region of the WHO, alcohol causes almost 1 million deaths annually, significantly contributing to unintentional and intentional injuries.
“The harmful impact of alcohol consumption begins early in life. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can lead to disorders in the spectrum of fetal alcoholic syndrome (FAS), a term that covers a series of congenital fetal defects that include physical, mental disabilities, and later a series of behavioral and/or learning changes, and for a lot of implications, and for a lot of implication. Disabilities, they are 100% preventable ”, Insp.
In addition, alcohol is responsible for 1 of each 4th death in the age group 20-24, being a main cause of the loss of professional life and therefore, of the losses of economic development and productivity in the European region of WHO.
“Alcohol consumption is the cause of approximately 17% of cancer cases of the seven types of cancer associated. Easy to moderate alcohol (less than 20 g of pure alcohol) was associated with 13.3% of these cases, the equivalent of About 23,000 new cases of cancer In 2017 at European level”, Says Spedcialists.
