About 5% of deaths worldwide are caused by misuse of alcohol, according to a major new report.
More than 75% of these deaths were among men, the World Health Organisation reported.
The major cause of alcohol-related deaths was injuries caused by accidents, violence and self-harm together, responsible for 28% of cases. Digestive disorders caused 21% of the deaths and 19% were from cardiovascular diseases, WHO said.
The figures related to 2016. WHO said there were some positive trends in reduction in heavy drinking – but the overall burden of disease caused by alcohol remains “unacceptably high,” especially in Europe and the Americas.
WHO warned that global consumption of alcohol is set to increase, particularly in south-east Asia and the Americas.
Despite efforts to encourage moderate drinking, the average daily consumption of drinkers is 33g of alcohol – equivalent to two shots of spirits or a large bottle of beer, according to the WHO analysis.
Dr Vladimir Poznyak, from WHO, said: “All countries can do much more to reduce the health and social costs of the harmful use of alcohol.
“Proven, cost-effective actions include increasing taxes on alcoholic drinks, bans or restrictions on alcohol advertising, and restricting the physical availability of alcohol.”
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