69 per cent women experience discomfort in public places due to others’ consumption of alcohol: ADIC

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By Huzefa Aliasger 

A recent survey in 2025 conducted by Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) on the international women’s day reveals that 69 per cent of women face discomfort in public places due to the increase in consumption of alcohol by others. 

The Survey was conducted by collecting data from 1000 women above 15 years of age from 25 districts in Sri Lanka. ADIC mentions in their survey that “the rate of alcohol consumption and smoking among women in Sri Lanka remains low, therefore alcohol companies are utilizing different strategies to convert women into consumers and normalise alcohol products amongst them”.

The ADIC survey further mentions that 43 per cent women face mental and physiological challenges due to the consumption of alcohol by others and 37 per cent of women were not aware that alcohol company strategies attract women to use alcohol by linking it to women’s rights. 

ADIC mentions that according to the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) act, alcohol and tobacco advertisements targeting women and children are prohibited, but not being implemented.  

• The ADIC survey further mentions that 43 per cent women face mental and physiological challenges due to the consumption of alcohol by others
• The Survey was conducted by collecting data from 1000 women above 15 years of age from 25 districts