Patna: The decade-long prohibition in Bihar might have caused considerable loss to the state exchequer, but it has certainly led to improved health conditions and well-being of the people. Health experts and medical professionals claim there has been a significant decline in the incidence of diseases caused by excessive consumption of liquor in the post-prohibition period.The National Family Health Surveys have also indicated improvements in health-related parameters for a major part of the state’s population.According to a recent study by researchers at IIT Kanpur, the prohibition on alcohol imposed in Bihar in April 2016 led to higher intake of calories, protein and healthy fats from nutritious food sources. The study found liquor prohibition led to a decline in consumption of packaged and processed foods, which are often complementary to liquor use.The study, based on household-level data from two rounds (2011-12 and 2022-23) of the nationally representative Consumer Expenditure Survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), showed liquor prohibition freed up household resources, which were subsequently redirected towards healthier food consumption rather than unhealthy alternatives. Stronger gains were seen in urban areas, where enforcement of the ban is relatively more effective. Even though the prohibition was primarily aimed at reducing domestic violence and liquor-related social harms, it generated unintended nutritional and health benefits, the study added.Justifying these findings, Dr Satish Kumar of Nalanda Medical College Hospital said, “Prohibition has substantially reduced the incidence of all alcohol-related diseases, especially those of the liver.” He added the number of liver cirrhosis patients coming to the hospital for treatment had declined by at least 30% following prohibition. “The number of people reporting with severe liver diseases had reduced by 90% within a couple of years of prohibition,” he said.He added, “The diseases caused by liquor are man-made and they can be easily avoided.” Citing figures from The Lancet, a medical journal, he pointed out prohibition reduced 24 lakh cases of daily liquor consumption. This ultimately resulted in a considerable decline in cases of hypertension, diabetes and obesity.Former superintendent of Patna Medical College Hospital, Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, said, “Health benefits of prohibition can be well visualized through the health of people after their reduced liquor intake.” He said prohibition resulted in reductions in body weight via calorie deficits. “Reductions in blood glucose likely manifest through reduced insulin resistance and better pancreatic function among previous heavy users. Furthermore, reduced liquor intake may also improve hypertension through improved nervous system functioning, arterial flow and reduced cortisol level,” he said.Former principal of Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Patna, Dr Dineshwar Prasad also admitted a considerable decrease in the number of patients suffering from heart, lung or liver problems after prohibition. He said government hospitals and private health centers are now mostly treating older patients affected by excessive liquor consumption.He suggested prohibition should continue with stricter enforcement by law and order authorities, notwithstanding the revenue loss. “After all, the government is spending so much on safeguarding people’s health,” he added.
