Kerala trails far behind as another state tops the list in alcohol consumption

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: According to the Sixth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) released by the Union Health Ministry, Kerala ranks far behind many other Indian states in terms of alcohol consumption among men. The state is placed 19th in the list based on alcohol use among men aged 15 years and above.

Among all states and Union Territories, Arunachal Pradesh tops the list with 50.5% of men reporting alcohol consumption. Telangana is second with 43.9%. Among southern states, Tamil Nadu (23.5%) and Andhra Pradesh (23.3%) both recorded higher alcohol consumption rates than Kerala. Kerala reported the lowest rate among South Indian states at 22.7%.

Long-term survey data shows a significant decline in alcohol consumption in Kerala. In the 2005–06 survey, 45% of men in the state reported consuming alcohol. Through market regulations and awareness campaigns, that figure has dropped by nearly half to 22.7%. In the previous NFHS survey conducted in 2019–20, the rate stood at 19.9%. The latest survey found that 23.7% of men in rural areas and 21.5% of men in urban areas consume alcohol. Alcohol consumption among women in Kerala remains extremely low at just 0.3%.

Although the central survey indicates a slight increase in the number of alcohol consumers compared to the previous survey, official sales figures from Kerala's state-run liquor distribution network, Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO), show a different trend. BEVCO sold 3.35 crore cases of liquor in the 2019–20 financial year, compared to 3.30 crore cases in 2023–24, indicating a slight decline in sales.

Supporters of the previous LDF government's liquor policy argue that strong regulation and monitoring over the past decade have helped maintain control over the sector. In several other states, reports of illegal liquor sales and deaths caused by spurious alcohol continue to emerge. States including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and Maharashtra have witnessed major liquor-related tragedies in recent years.

In states with prohibition, such as Bihar and Gujarat, illegal networks are often accused of controlling parallel liquor markets. Studies suggest that nearly 40% of alcohol consumed in India comes from illicit or unregulated sources. Supporters of Kerala's regulatory model point out that the state has not witnessed a major hooch tragedy during the past decade. They argue that strict pricing policies, effective regulations and strong enforcement have helped prevent the spread of illicit liquor and ensured that only quality-controlled alcohol reaches consumers.