Alcohol causes 20,000 deaths a year, ADIC urges tax hike

By Poojathmi Rivithma  

Sri Lanka around 50 people die every day from alcohol-related causes, leading to nearly 20,000 preventable deaths each year, according to the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC).  

ADIC addressed that alcohol does not contribute positively to a country’s economy. Although the government’s revenue from alcohol taxes in 2022 amounted to Rs. 181.1 billion.  

Meanwhile, a study by the United Nations Development Fund (source: Investment Case for Alcohol Control in Sri Lanka 2023 – United Nations Development Programme) revealed that the health and economic costs associated with alcohol use in our country totaled to Rs. 237 billion within the same year.  

Globally, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for 8 out of 10 preventable deaths, with alcohol being one of the main risk factors.   

In Sri Lanka, NCDs cause 83% of all deaths, and alcohol is linked to one in four of these cases.  

However, ADIC warned that alcohol use contributes to serious social issues in addition to its health and economic toll. Although the NATA Act bans alcohol advertising, the industry still promotes alcohol through indirect and unethical methods, often targeting children and youth.  

ADIC noted that the industry is focusing on young people to recruit new consumers as alcohol use declines and more users die from related causes.  

Therefore, the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre underscores the importance of ensuring an appropriate and evidence-based increase in alcohol excise duty in the upcoming 2026 Budget.   

The organisation urged action to reduce alcohol use among children and youth and to minimise its health, social, and economic harm.